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By Gillian Howard, Founder of Digital Art Fair Date: 14 September 2024, London, UK
As the founder of the Digital Art Fair, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the rapid transformation of the art world. We are now at the precipice of a new age in art—a post-contemporary digital art era—as I would call it, where the line between the physical and digital realms is no longer just blurred but fully intertwined. This era is not just about embracing technology; it is about rethinking the entire framework of how art is created, experienced, and valued.
A New Artistic Frontier
The post-contemporary digital art era is a natural evolution from the contemporary period, but it is driven by unprecedented technological advancements. Artists today are no longer limited by the physical medium alone. They can incorporate elements of virtual reality, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and generative art to produce works that are as engaging on the screen as they are in person. The rise of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) has added a layer of ownership and provenance to digital art, giving collectors confidence that they own a piece of unique value.
Physical Mastery is Still Essential
Despite the immense possibilities that technology offers, I firmly believe that artists looking to enter the art market must not forsake the traditional values of craftsmanship. The craft of physical art—whether it be painting, sculpture, or installation—remains a foundational skill that grounds an artist in the long history and tradition of artmaking. It is only by mastering the physical craft that an artist can fully leverage the possibilities of digitalization, making the transition from one medium to another seamless and authentic.
An artist’s ability to blend physical mastery with digital innovation will define their success in this new era. This synthesis allows for a more dynamic exploration of ideas and themes, combining tactile, sensory experiences with the infinite possibilities offered by the digital realm.
Digitalization as an Artistic Tool
Digitalization, in this context, is not merely a trend or a temporary shift—it is a tool that can expand the artist’s voice. It allows artists to reach global audiences instantly, and, more importantly, it allows for new forms of interaction and participation. Viewers are no longer passive observers but can now engage, experience, and even co-create with the artist through interactive installations, augmented reality, and immersive environments.
For instance, at Digital Art Fair, we’ve embraced this transition by showcasing artists who master both the physical and digital spaces, allowing their work to evolve beyond static formats. Artists can now create works that react to real-time data, transform in response to their environment, or live solely in virtual worlds. This fusion has already attracted a new generation of art lovers and collectors who are as invested in the digital future as they are in preserving artistic traditions.
18 Artists I Am Watching in the Post-Contemporary Digital Art Era
In this evolving landscape, there are a number of artists pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to create art in the post-contemporary digital era. Here are 18 artists I am watching closely, with their key NFT achievements, birth years, and a brief description of their work:
Refik Anadol (Born 1985)
NFT Sale: Machine Hallucinations, sold for $5 million in 2021 via Sotheby’s.
Description: A pioneer in AI-driven, data-inspired digital installations, Anadol blends the physical and digital seamlessly in his large-scale works.
Beeple (Mike Winkelmann) (Born 1981)
NFT Sale: Everydays: The First 5000 Days, sold for $69.3 million in 2021 at Christie's.
Description: Beeple’s work fuses digital culture with cutting-edge technology, making him one of the most significant figures in the NFT world.
Pak (Born Unknown)
NFT Sale: The Fungible Collection, generated over $16 million in 2021 across multiple editions on Nifty Gateway.
Description: A mysterious and conceptual artist, Pak’s minimalistic works question the meaning of ownership and art itself in the digital space.
Takashi Murakami (Born 1962)
NFT Sale: Murakami.Flowers, launched in 2022, multiple editions sold for hundreds of thousands on OpenSea.
Description: Murakami bridges traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary pop culture, making his venture into NFTs a natural extension of his Superflat theory.
Daniel Arsham (Born 1980)
NFT Sale: Released several NFTs on Nifty Gateway, with individual sales reaching up to $500,000 in 2021.
Description: Arsham’s “Future Relics” series, where he decays everyday objects, has seamlessly translated into digital art, pushing his unique sculptural style into the virtual realm.
KAWS (Born 1974)
NFT Sale: Although still anticipated, KAWS’s early ventures in digital art hint at future significant sales.
Description: Known for his iconic figures, KAWS’s blend of street art and fine art has made him a leader in both physical and digital art scenes.
Olafur Eliasson (Born 1967)
NFT Sale: Eliasson’s climate-focused digital work sold for $1 million in 2021 on various art platforms.
Description: Eliasson creates immersive installations, and his exploration into digital art extends his environmental themes into interactive virtual worlds.
Ai Weiwei (Born 1957)
NFT Sale: Released political-themed NFTs in 2021, with prices reaching up to $450,000 for individual works.
Description: Ai Weiwei’s politically charged artworks have taken on new life in the digital space, allowing his global message of human rights to reach new audiences.
Julian Opie (Born 1958)
NFT Sale: Opie’s digital portraits sold in 2021 for up to $250,000 on Nifty Gateway.
Description: Opie’s minimalist, digital portraits translate beautifully into NFTs, further blurring the line between traditional and digital media.
Petra Cortright (Born 1986)
NFT Sale: Her digital paintings have fetched up to $100,000 per edition in 2021 on Foundation.
Description: Cortright combines traditional painting techniques with digital experimentation, making her one of the pioneers in the digital painting space.
Cory Arcangel (Born 1978)
NFT Sale: Released glitch-based NFT works in 2020, with sales ranging from $50,000 to $180,000 on platforms like Nifty Gateway.
Description: Arcangel’s use of video games and technology in art positions him as a leader in exploring how technology influences digital culture and art.
Jon Rafman (Born 1981)
NFT Sale: His digital video works have sold for up to $350,000 in 2021 across various platforms.
Description: Rafman’s exploration of virtual worlds and internet subcultures makes him highly relevant in the NFT space, where digital identity is key.
Urs Fischer (Born 1973)
NFT Sale: Fischer’s CHAOS NFT series sold for millions, with individual pieces reaching up to $1 million in 2021 on MakersPlace.
Description: Fischer’s dynamic sculptures and use of transformation in digital art have made his NFT work a standout in the digital art market.
Hito Steyerl (Born 1966)
NFT Sale: Released multimedia NFTs in 2021, fetching up to $250,000 per edition.
Description: Steyerl is a leading voice in critically examining the socio-political impact of digital technology, making her NFT works both artistic and thought-provoking.
Kehinde Wiley (Born 1977)
NFT Sale: Wiley has yet to release NFTs, but anticipated sales are expected to reach six figures.
Description: Known for his iconic portraits, Wiley’s potential entry into digital art will likely bring his explorations of race and identity into the virtual space.
Ryoji Ikeda (Born 1966)
NFT Sale: Released data-driven NFTs in 2021, with prices ranging from $50,000 to $200,000.
Description: Ikeda’s use of algorithms and data in art is perfectly suited to the NFT landscape, where his real-time, interactive works can thrive.
Anicka Yi (Born 1971)
NFT Sale: Yi’s NFTs that explore biological and technological themes have sold for up to $150,000 in 2021.
Description: Yi blends biology, technology, and art in futuristic themes, positioning her as a key figure in merging physical and digital mediums.
Shirin Neshat (Born 1957)
NFT Sale: Neshat’s digital photography NFTs have sold for up to $200,000 in 2021 on platforms like Foundation.
Description: Neshat’s exploration of identity, gender, and politics through photography and video art translates powerfully into the digital realm, where her poignant narratives can reach broader, global audiences through NFTs.