The digital age has allowed us to access information that would have once required a trip to the library, the arrival of a fax or letter, or an evening lost viewing videos from a friend's vacation. Digital cameras, webcams, and smartphones have expanded our horizons to the point where someone working at a desk in Chicago can experience the same sights and sounds as a friend relaxing on the beach in Hawaii--or browsing an art gallery in Manhattan.
The convenience of connecting people who are miles or even continents apart saves money and increases efficiency in many organizations. The art world is no exception.
Access art with the click of a mouse
Forget the wine, cheese and small talk of gallery openings. Art houses across the country are showing off their collections and holding auctions, all available to participants via a handheld device.
According to a November 2010 article in ARTnews, Brett Gorvy, Christie's International co-head of postwar and contemporary art, says that technology has been a key factor in the art market's rebound since the economic crisis of 2008-9. Besides being able to view pieces of art through digital images on a computer or cell phone, potential buyers can immediately access information about the work's history and estimated value. "In a recovering market, it is very much about people having confidence in process and a comfort level about what they're paying," says Gorvy.
"I can show someone a painting and tell them I'm asking $2 million, and they can call me back in five minutes saying that's outrageous, because a similar painting just sold at Christie's for $1 million," says Michael Findlay, director of Acquavella Galleries and former head of the Impressionist and Modern Art Department at Christie's. "In a broad sense that's a very good thing because you have a more educated buyer when it comes to value. But all auction results need to be translated. The date that it happened is significant, the nature of the art market, the number of people bidding, the condition of the work--there are many aspects to an auction result."
This leads us to the question: Does something get lost in translation during digital dealings? According to ARTnews, some say no where others say yes.
Picture this: Online vs. in person
"Buying from a screen is a bit like tasting food when you have a cold," says Philip Mould, a London-based gallery owner and author of
The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds, and Finds and the Search for Lost Treasurers. "You can pick up some details, but there is still an element of risk."
Mould's concern certainly seems valid considering the enhancement powers of Photoshop and other image-adjusting products. On the other hand, proponents of digital deals praise the clarity of digital images versus print photography and applaud the technology for broadening their client base.
Regardless of the position for or against online art auctions, it seems to be the trend coloring palettes in the modern art industry. In fact, in January 2011, some of the world's top galleries collaborated to launch VIP Art Fair, a nine-day exhibition that established virtual booths for the display of works. Visitors could watch video or even see three-dimensional sculptures. For an additional fee, collectors could interact with dealers via telephone, online chats, Skype or iChat.
Art careers in a digital world
While all this means a leap into the future for art galleries and auction houses, it also opens up new opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in art, but not so eager to spend days holed up in a cavernous studio.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for artists and related workers are expected to grow 12 percent by 2018--about as fast as average for all occupations. But what the BLS forecasts as driving this growth is not the need for artists tethered to an easel in a studio, but the reliance on artists to create digital or multimedia work that can be easily marketed online. A master's degree in art and design can help launch your career in many of these growing specialties, such as:
- Illustrators who can create in electronic formats.
- Multimedia artists and animators who can satisfy increasing demand for movie and television special effects and ever more realistic video-game graphics.
- Graphic and Web designers who can help websites continue to enhance the visitor's experience.
Entry into these growing fields takes dedication and a commitment to education as competition for these roles will be tough. Earning a master's degree in art and design can help give you the edge you need to stand out among the crowd.
