As part of my series, The Future of Art I wanted to put together some key themes that I think we will continue to see dominating the limelight in 2024 and beyond. The topics and trends listed below have already been center stage of the art world for some time but are still making waves in the industry and continue to be at the forefront of public interest. It may be more accurate to call them the current and immediate future of art. In the first post, The Future of Art: Part 1, I look at how the art industry has been changing: an increase in virtual exhibitions and becoming more eco-friendly.
Social and Environmental Justice
In the US it is election year so the country will eat and breath these important topics as they intently wait to see who will take the country’s political reigns. However, these key topics aren’t just in the US, but being heard rippling around the world. Global conflicts over territorial disputes or fights for access to resources further heighten the attention from the international audience and creatives.
In my previous post, The Future of Art: Part 1, I mentioned how museums and galleries are under pressure to break ties with companies, individuals and sponsorship deals connected to big oil and arms industry. The practice of ‘greenwashing’ will also be a hot topic in Europe as a new EU legislation will tighten the regulation on companies and industry to negate misinformation through advertising. The public have long-lost their patience with the politicians’ inability to act upon the powerful industry leaders as they watch the planet being drained and true progress being impaired.
Sovereignty, Migration and Identity
The US has often been described as ‘a nation of immigrants’, built upon the contributions of newcomers to American society from all over the world. This has made cultural identity a topic which has always been explored within the arts industry. As international migration increases globally (especially in the face of climate change and political situations in other countries) the ethnic composition of communities and populations alter, shifting attitudes and the meaning of national identity. In recent years in the art world we have been seeing increased exposure of the work of indigenous artists exploring ideas of homeland and heritage. I especially like to see how cultural traditions are celebrated but also molded and reappropriated in the face of the evolving modern world.
Two artists exploring these themes that I’m watching are: Jeffrey Gibson and Alvaro Barrington.
Ethic of Waste and Excess
Similarly linked to the point about social and environmental justice, I see a shift in the ethics of waste. What used to be acceptable in the art world: lavishness and wastefulness for the wealthy is now being frowned upon. Many viewers now find this type of practice out of touch with society. There is a pressure on museums and galleries to move away from wastefulness, and with financial cuts and pressures to cut ties with certain sponsors there is a need to be more resourceful. Galleries and museums are also being pressured to make their shows more affordable, accessible, more relevant and representative to marginalized groups in society. Elaborate, disposable displays, wasteful bi-products are being reduced in favor of long lasting and sustainable alternatives.
Digital Vs Reality
We were all forever changed as a result of the pandemic. Every now and then we seem to glitch and flash back to feeling incarcerated and looking at the world through the digital window again. This topic will haunt the public far into the future. If you haven’t read it yet, my blog post AI and Art: A Collaboration or Total Takeover? looks into ways in which artists are already working with and exploring a creative relationship with AI.
I think we will see more shows that will cater to full immersive sensory experiences with a major emphasis on artists making use of experimental and emerging technology exploring: the political and societal ramifications; automated Vs manual; individuality Vs cloud and collected consciousness; as well as authorship and authenticity in connection to using artificial intelligence.
See the AI blog post for artists to watch including: Refik Anadol and Anna Ridler.
Let me know in the comments below what trends you see filtering into the galleries, museums, art fairs and biennials over the next year and into the future.
Helpful!