Future of Art: What Will it Look Like in 10 Years?

Art does not seem to have a definite meaning or form. While some people might tell you that creating an innovative TV commercial is art, others might say that art is only found ‘physically’ in art galleries. Some are of the opinion that art is anything that an artist draws on paper with a pen, whereas others have full faith that true art only lies in nature. But you might often have thought of what the future of art looks like. We will talk about just that in this blog post.

Considering all the different opinions shared by various artistic and non-artistic individuals, it becomes very difficult to define what art is even today. So, how do you really predict the future of art, and how will it be exactly 10 years from now? Let’s find out!

Art Changes Fast

A lot can change within a few years. Only some decades ago, Europe was recovering from World War l, and the world seemed to be at the mercy of the heavens. However, luckily, the seeds of modernism had spread across the world only after a few years. Although the world was still traumatized, the artists refused to back down and give up art. 

A Scottish artist, Katie Peterson, launched the Future Library in 2014. It commissions a reputable writer each year to write about artwork and contribute a meaningful text that will only be published in 2114. The paper that will be used for printing the texts will come from lumber from a dense forest the writer planted about 4 years ago around Oslo. 

If we talk about recent times, Louis Xlll Cognac has collaborated with pop star Pharrell Williams to write a song that is to be released 100 years later. The musician, also an occasional curator, has made a solitary recording, that is printed on water-soluble clay. The recording is kept in a state-of-the-art safe which can only be destroyed if submerged in water. The idea behind it is that unless mankind reverses the unfortunate effects of climate change, the song will drown, never to be heard by a single soul. 

Therefore, the future of art may be bright, or it may be dire. However, artists continue to strive, shaping various ideas thought and unthought, into reality. Despite the numerous political, economic, and representative changes the artistic world goes through, some trends seem to be constant. Let’s look at how art will change in 10 years. 

What Art Will Look Like 10 Years from Now?

Will art always be the same, or will it have no resemblance with the artistic world we know today? What tendencies and trends will dominate in a decade? Will it incorporate modern, innovative technology, or will we stick to traditional in-house museums? 

While the old and current forms will most likely stay, new artforms will also take over, and art will undergo perpetual evolution. They will also be more experiential, and not simply something that hangs on a wall passively. Art is all set to become a seamless part of the painter’s or owner’s life, rather than a plain decoration placed in a room corner. 

However, some of you may wonder, will art galleries and museums still remain? Will artificial intelligence play an essential role in assisting artists and curators on a daily basis? Cultural art forms like sculptures and paintings, will they be consigned to obscurity? 

Art Does Not Get Old

Art is one of the very few industries in which no form is recognized as ‘old’ or ‘outdated.’ Each form, whether a simple acrylic painting, sculpture, or canvas, still holds the same importance as it did years ago if the design and concept are worthy of it. 

Perhaps it is right to assume that with all these recent technological advancements, art is no longer limited to the wealthy and lucky ones only. The internet and similar contemporary tools provide everybody a chance to try art at least once in their life. Art computer programs and countless intuitive tools are not available exclusively for professionals now but are open to all.

Art will always remain within us. However, it will grow diverse and may not appear as it does now. In the future, when online visibility is as easy to achieve as hitting a football and privacy is left to a minimum, anonymity may be desired greater than fame. 

Art is also sure to branch into new forms in the coming years, integrating new technology within itself. Augmented and virtual reality may combine, allowing viewers to experience artworks with a mere headset or phone. The world may develop paintbrushes that don’t work manually, but paint exactly how the painter thinks, all on their own.  

How Artists are Helping the World See the Future 

We’ve talked about what the future of art will look like. But what about art telling us what the future holds? Artists around the world are creating art to spread awareness about the environment and other social issues.

Environment 

Climate is one of the hottest topics on legal discussion forums these days, and rightfully so. Apart from not being able to hear the 100 years old song by Pharrell Williams, climate change is set to destroy several other ecosystems and landscapes, especially in areas like Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Arctic.  

Olafur Eliasson is a leading artist who is shedding light on environmental issues. His artwork employs elements of air, light, water, and temperature, the Danish-Icelandic artistic hero has lived a beautiful reality in which the environment with all its glory has played a prominent role. Therefore, he is not afraid to take a stand for it as it is now under threat. 

Not long ago, the artist arranged a significant solo exhibition at the famous Tate Modern in London, which allowed the audience to experience art in an experiential manner. Olafur Eliasson’s work unites the world of food, education, architecture, ecology, sustainability, perception, collective activity, and most importantly, climate change.

He is also the one who showcases Black Out in Kunsthaus Zurich till March 2020. Here, Olafur Eliasson experimented with his art by turning off the lights and requesting visitors to view the museum’s collection with a hand-held torch or any form of light. 

Paintings

The last few years witnessed a marginal decline in the popularity of several traditional art forms at art galleries and museums. However, it has made a comeback, fortunately, allowing collectors and art lovers to relive their passion. Many artists are relieved that they can show off their work by hanging it on a wall instead of only posting it online. Now art pros can paint on walls, canvases, or just about anything!

According to experts, there is inevitable growth in this art sector. Siri and some other virtual assistants are gradually driving art collectors towards paintings of various types since they allow stillness and contemplation, nostalgia and joy, and especially remembrance. 

A famous polish artist Kamila Ossowska’s innovation in art revolves around the typical human, especially in the nude. The appreciation for Atul Dodiya and V Ramesh’s work in India is proof that mankind’s love for paintings is as old as human history. Whether in investment or home décor, paintings always bring about the desired results. 

Art Fairs

Paintings are not made to be enclosed in a room, but a unique form of beauty that should be shared with the world. Art fairs, such as art symposiums and biennales, have helped create awareness and global dialogue about art among prominent economists, who often label art as an ‘engine’ for tourism.

While several art practitioners only consider an art fair a commercial event, others believe it brings about awareness within at least half of the attendees. Art fairs are a way of ‘transparency’ that helps show the world’s harsh realities, while also making the organizers profit. 

Souren Melikian, an exceptional art critic, has revealed that art fairs have outed auctions in the category of premier events for numerous renowned buyers in the upper market tiers. On the other hand, the more acerbic art critics like Jerry Saltz from New York believe that art fairs are ‘… adrenaline-addled spectacles for a kind of buying and selling where intimacy, conviction, patience and focused looking…are essentially nonexistent. 

As the world moves forward and new art forms surface, the art economy globally has slowed down notably, leaving the collectors circumspect and discerned. However, online art galleries continue to fill this gap and contribute to making matters easier for beginners as well as experienced artists.

Online Art

The world of social media has completely transformed how we look at art via websites like Facebook and Instagram. Back in the day, you may have thought to yourself ‘nice’ after viewing an aesthetic picture with artistic decorations. However, when you come across a fancy artistic ornament now in a post, story, or video, you may start looking for it unconsciously at your local market or even take a screenshot to search for it wherever you go. 

Online art shopping has also seen a rise and continues to soar as auction houses, like Sotheby and Christies, and brisk businesses have reported. The virtual world is growing fonder of the various forms of art each day, wanting more likes and appreciation for their impeccable taste in art. 

Women Artists 

Another growing trend is the popularity of showcasing artworks by women artists who have come under the dark sun’s eclipse of patriarchy. Numerous exhibitions and museums are now proudly celebrating the artwork of famous, deserving women artists, such as Dora Maar the photographer, Nasreen Mohemedi the modern artist, Frida Kahlo the painter, and Anni Albers the textile artist. 

These artists are boasting about how their work is finally receiving the appreciation it deserves through displays in museums and galleries. But, with the ‘suffragette sashes stowed away,’ are women artists an important part of the art world’s future? 

Fortunately, women, like in any other field, are all set to excel even in this field, regardless of the time. It may be 2022, 2042, or 2072, female artists like the Italian baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi will revolutionize the world with their determination and unyielding faith. In 2020, the National Gallery of London set an example and promoted the women as artists trend by showcasing the excellent work done by Artemisia Gentileschi.

Indigenous Artists 

A great number of indigenous artists have been making artwork for years, only to be labeled as ‘craftwork’ or ‘local artisanal work’ with no recognition. However, this trend is becoming less and less popular with every passing day, especially in Mexico, South Africa, and other South American countries. 

The well-deserving artists are now bagging independent exhibitions at famous, renowned galleries. In India, Great Masters and Warli, Gondi, and Madhubani paintings have earned recognition by earning their place on the pedestal.  

Art Performances 

Whoever tells you art is limited to pages and canvases, tell them to reconsider. Art extends way beyond any boundaries, bringing different performances, music, and dances under its shade. Performance art is receiving its due diligence from all over the world. Famous stars like Patrick Staff at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery and Nikhil Chopra at the MET are bringing performance art to the center stage. 

Several other young performers and video artists like Ed Atkins and Amalia Ulman have brought their extraordinary exhibitions to leading art galleries in the US, UK, and Europe. The Chinese artist Xu Zhen with his brilliant performance of ‘human sculptures’ is making rounds at Art Basel. This is a vivid indication that multiple art forms do and will continue to coexist in all platforms of contemporary visual arts.  

Future of Art – Conclusion 

Many would agree that predicting the future of any field is challenging, including the arts. However, as diverse and innovative as the world of art is, it is surely here to stay. The future of art will most likely incorporate artificial intelligence and other modern technological tools, while still maintaining its traditional touch. However, times are uncertain, so watch closely as the world evolves!