Art therapy is also called expressive therapy. Can you imagine it was launched in the 1940s? It was determined that creative expressions were one of the best ways to get into people’s thoughts and emotions. Since people were not burdened by the internet, computers, and smartphones, art was the best way to distract their attention from annoying routines and just relax.

Art therapy is often combined with talk therapy. It helps people cope with their emotions and increase their self-confidence. It decreases anxiety and stress. Art therapy includes a variety of activities. For instance, painting, sculpting, drawing, etc.

If you haven’t tried art therapy yet, you definitely should because it has a wide range of benefits and positive effects on your mind and body. Researchers say that art therapy can treat a number of health issues. Let’s take a closer look at the biggest advantages of such therapy.

STRESS RELIEF

The first and foremost benefit of art therapy would be its ability to reduce the level of stress. This is, actually, the goal of all types of therapy. When you attend yoga classes or sing, your main goal is to get rid of the accumulated stress. Art therapy is not an exception. You should do it to relieve stress.

Art therapy alone may not play the role of full-fledged mental treatment and it should be used in tandem with traditional therapy. However, it can be used quite successfully without any other components to reduce stress. The greatest thing about art therapy is that it is not for artists. You do not have to be really talented or gifted to get rid of stress with its help.

Creating art makes you forget about the situation or people that caused stress to you. Your mind is fully focused on the process. Moreover, it is quite peaceful and makes your mind distracted. Psychologists say that women need endorphins to get rid of stress while men need testosterone to do this. Since the process of creating art is more peaceful, it cannot cause the production of testosterone but endorphins. Therefore, to reduce stress, it is more suitable for women. However, the production of endorphins makes people happy, thus, men can also benefit from art therapy and become much happier.

SELF-ESTEEM BOOST

Art therapy is one of the best ways to boost self-esteem and self-confidence if that is what you struggle with. The feeling of self-accomplishment is something that you experience when being involved in art therapy. This activity makes people appreciate their own selves and increase their self-confidence.

Although you are not doing anything special while drawing or sculpturing and you do not even have to possess any specific skills, you still feel that you are complete. When making even the smallest progress and succeeding in the process step by step, you subconsciously reach certain goals and are happy about that.

The fact that you reached even the smallest goals makes you proud of yourself and increases your confidence and self-esteem.

RELEASING EMOTIONS

Both men and women need to get rid of their emotional baggage from time to time. One of the ways to do it is to talk. For example, communication and active discussions with your friends can help you get rid of your emotional luggage. Not everyone has such friends though and if you are one of those lonely people who do not have anyone to share your emotions with, art therapy is the best method of doing it.

All of your fears and emotions can go away through art therapy. Why is that? Sometimes, it is quite difficult to express certain emotions like anger, fear, sadness, etc. with words. You can easily do it in art though. When drawing or sculpting, you can express all of your feelings and emotions, and this way, release the emotions that are bothering you.

ANXIETY REDUCTION

Anxiety is certainly not a rare thing in today’s world. Lots of people, regardless of their age group, experience this issue. Anxiety, stress, and depression are very common, and fighting them is often very difficult. Art therapy helps do that in combination with other types of mental therapy.

Anxiety is a very dangerous condition that requires specific attention. Students who constantly work in terms of pressure and lack of sleep often have anxiety followed by depression. Art therapy reduces anxiety a lot and helps fight it.

BOOST LEARNING CAPACITY

Art therapy is also good or people experiencing learning difficulties. It is especially common for children or students. If you are a student who cannot focus on certain things or the learning process or your child has problems at school, you should try to correct this with the help of art therapy.

It is crucial to choose the art that is the most suitable and enjoyable for your child or you personally. Through deep concentration on the process, you will be able to increase your learning capacity and studying ability. Researchers say that art therapy boosts the academic success of children and students.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS IMPROVEMENT

Although you do not communicate with anyone while creating art, it helps boost your communication skills. Art therapy is very helpful for people within the autistic spectrum. Therefore, if you struggle with your communication skills, do not rush to attend oratory classes and try to get involved in art therapy first.

Art therapy may not be a very common treatment for various mental disorders, however, it is one of the greatest ways to get rid of the burden of emotions, boost your self-esteem and academic success, fight stress, anxiety, or depression, and just spend an enjoyable time. To get the best result from art therapy, you should choose something you really enjoy. This could be anything — from drawing to photography or collaging. There are multiple ways to find yourself in art and you do not have to be a great artist to make it happen.

Author’s Bio: Vanessa Morgan is a SEO writer for FreeEssayWriter who helps businesses boost their Google rankings successfully. Vanessa also writes amazing essays for students on various topics. She holds an MBA degree, however, is interested in versatile topics and fields. This allows Vanessa to create top-notch papers for students that make them happy about their degrees.

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An artist is always perceived as a highly creative person. They are often remembered and judged precisely by their work. But, of course, any creator is also an ordinary person with their life problems and experiences, fears, successes and failures, feelings, and emotions. Their life is often complicated and full of adventure. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what the world’s most famous artists breathed, what was in their life besides paints and canvas?

Read on as we share a list of five breathtaking autobiographical works by and about world-renowned artists.

1. WE FLEW OVER THE BRIDGE: MEMOIRS OF FAITH RINGGOLD

Faith Ringgold. This name is familiar to many people because this woman is one of the most famous artists in America. She is also a well-known activist who fights against gender inequality. In her works (“patchwork quilts” and paintings), she draws attention to civil rights. However, not everything was so simple in her life and fate. Success cost her a lot of work and no less willpower. In her memoirs, Ringgold tells the story of her life in detail. She describes the problems she had to deal with – how she rid society of prejudices and sought a balance between the happiness of motherhood and a successful career. Ringgold also shares her thoughts on all the situations described in the book. She gives the reader advice, which makes reading the book like talking to the artist. Readers describe this book as something that won their hearts, and the artist’s writing is also described as a beautiful and inspiring one.

2. AMAZING GRACE: THE LIFE OF BEAUFORD DELANEY, BY BEAUFORD DELANEY AND DAVID LEEMING

African American artist Beauford Delaney is famous all over the world. He was a significant figure during Harlem’s Renaissance. Later he moved to Paris and became known as an abstract expressionist. His life story was vivid and dramatic. He was loved by many; he considered his close friends Henry Miller and James Baldwin. However, frequently the artist felt unrecognized, unnoticed, and alone. This state was caused primarily by the fact that Beauford fought for his mental health all his life. It took a lot of moral strength and often oppressed him. But he was courageous and persistent, so he chose to create art and seek happiness in life. Baldwin once wrote about his friend that Delaney had overcome more inner and outer darkness than any other person he knew.

3. HOLD STILL: A MEMOIR WITH PHOTOS BY SALLY MANN

This book will captivate you, and you will read it in one evening. Sally Mann is a renowned American painter. In her book, she uses words and images to convey the atmosphere and brightness of the events in her life. The reader can see images created by Mann on fascinating topics (“family, race, mortality, and the legendary landscape of the American South”). This book was written by the artist after discovering the most unexpected and very unpleasant secrets of her family – “deception and scandal, the return of the prodigal son and even a bloody murder.” Mann introduces us to her personal journey while uncovering all the mysteries about the ideas and practice of creating her best works.

4. NEAR THE KNIVES BY DAVID VOINAROVICH

These are the favorite collection of essays by David Voinarovich himself. In this book, you will learn the life path of an American artist and walk it with him from beginning to end. Voinarovich talks about an abused and unfair childhood and a period when he was one of the homeless people in New York until the moment when he managed to become successful. Voinarovich is called one of the most provocative creators in America and the very person who is a reference point for a new generation of artists who are forced to fight for the freedom to express themselves and their thoughts.

5. DIANA ARBUS BY PATRICIA BOSWORTH

This extraordinary biography describes the life of Diana Arbus. It was written by Patricia Bosworth. She studied the amazing and sometimes tragic life of a photographer who admired and resented the frankness and themes of her work. With the power of only pictures of marginalized groups, Diana tried to show that there is no division in “black” and “white”, there is no division in “bad” and “good” people. There is a man. In everything. His fears, doubts, strengths, and weaknesses. Bosworth had a conversation with Diana’s family and friends. Thanks to them, a reader learns about her ideas, fears and problems, childhood, and insanely passionate marriage. At the end of the book, you will discover the true reason for Diana Arbus’s suicide.

Conclusion

After reading these books, you will have touched the history of individual artists, individual characters, and people. It is amazing to read explicit details about events from the lives of legends who have achieved success and earned the recognition of thousands of people. Make this list a great substitute for going to the cinema.

Author’s bio: Valerie Stone
Web and academic writer for educational platforms, fond of studying and self-development. Organizing educational seminars and lectures for students. Likes to discuss chemistry and social topics and helps students with different kinds of editing academic papers and essays. You can make your crazy writing ideas come true with expert writers from Darwinessay.Net.

The post Better Than a Movie: Incredible Artists’ Biographical Books appeared first on Art Business News.

Viewers believed the mural had been lost forever, but the mural has recently been found. Cosmic Wire, a full-service entertainment company combining a marketplace, creative space, and multi-platform media stage to connect artists with their fan base, will now offer the remains of the original work. The work is being offered as a hybrid NFT on Friday, October 1, 2021.

The NFT will be auctioned off and the winner will receive 9 brick pieces of the wall depicting all three spies’ heads. “Banksy is one of the most notoriously infamous and provocative artists of our generation. The fact that Cosmic Wire is involved in this at all is profoundly humbling. It is especially so with this specific piece. Rumoured to be lost forever, we have found it,” says Cosmic Wire CEO Jerad Finch. “We wanted to pay homage to the original Spy Booth, so we created a new piece of digital art based on what remains of the wall.”

“We are genuinely excited to play a small part in time capsuling this crescendo of human culture and bringing it back to the people. This is what our mission at Cosmic Wire is specifically, to preserve and disseminate humanity’s finest achievements. We feel we have really stumbled upon something spectacular with this piece, and we just can’t wait to show the world.”

www.banksyspyboothnft.com.

View the teaser video HERE.

The post Banksy’s “Destroyed” Spy Booth Auctioned as NFT appeared first on Art Business News.

The role of the gallery owner has always held prestige in the art world. With far fewer galleries than artists, the square footage of display space each location offered was a desirable commodity, which typically gave their owners quite a bit of leverage in the symbiotic relationship with artists. But it takes talent to pick and choose which works to display in a limited area. The gallery owner must maximize what space they have to offer, using it in only the most resourceful and efficient way. The transactional side of collecting and investing in art means monetizing what is carefully chosen to be featured. And so, for gallery owners, the strategies and tactics include building an audience and awareness of artists and their work, increasing sales traffic, and maintaining proper levels of inventory for purchase. The most important key for gallery owners is to establish an unbreakable trust with the artists they represent.

Another important role for gallery owners is the innate ability to evaluate and choose artists and artworks that will resonate with the audience, leading to both marketability and sales. There are no crystal balls that can reveal how a particular artist’s work will be received, but there are some qualities that should increase the odds of success. That means locating an artist that has a particular style you can recognize right away, and a clearly defined concept behind their work. Also, do they take their job seriously? Are they good at their own self-promotional efforts? After all, gallery owners can only do so much.

THE ARTIST

Of course, for artists, the landscape looks much different. We are all familiar with the “starving artist” label, those willing to make extreme sacrifices in material well-being for the sake of what they’re creating. But there are very few artists who don’t aspire to surpass this stage in their craft. What artists need—more than anything else—is notoriety. Their work must be visible if it is to be purchased or put on consignment. This is why art galleries are such attractive propositions. Artists need to have their works publicly displayed and art galleries typically own the real estate they so desperately covet.

But with the advent of popular social media channels and the viral audiences they can provide, coupled with a growing number of artists who are beginning to receive financial backing directly from the investor and collector crowds, galleries are no longer the only game in town. There are also numerous opportunities for artists to list and sell their works directly, minus a commission, through flashy online e-commerce marketplaces such as Artsper, currently featuring over 170,000 works, representing more than 25,000 artists.

It’s safe to say that the traditional power dynamic between gallery owners and artists is shifting. To the trained eye, artists have become exponentially more self-aware of their available options to promote themselves, and their needs are rapidly evolving. Of course, to have your work featured in a prominent art gallery is still considered an admirable achievement. But in the fast-moving, transactional side of the art business world, artists are looking for more than just display space. As artists use alternate methods to raise awareness, and their works begin to gain notoriety and sell, they’re now looking for more promotional effort from gallery owners. What’s really becoming important are networking and promotional connections. Can you build an artist’s audience beyond the walls of your gallery and the walk-in traffic who browse their works? Do you have influential contacts in the world of art investors and collectors to introduce them? What about municipal and civic connections who can authorize public displays? Do you have the influence to get them featured and publicized at renowned art fairs? And what about exclusive deals with luxury brands to create one-of-a-kind opportunities that infuse their artwork with expensive goods?

RISE OF THE TALENT AGENTS

It is in this new normal environment that the role of the art gallery owner seems to be evolving—to that of a talent agent or manager. Gallery owners, desperate to add value to the relationships they maintain with their artists, are facing difficulties in maintaining the longevity of the owner-artist relationship. Now more than ever, gallery owners must establish and maintain a reputation for taking artists public. Much like in the world of talent managers, the talented always want to work with the best—the ones with the right connections and influence. It’s this sudden shift that’s providing newfound power and leverage to artists. To see what’s really at stake, in the proper context of this shifting power dynamic, requires a snapshot of the current global art marketplace.

WHAT’S AT $TAKE?

According to recent statistics compiled by First Research, a market analysis division of corporate data leader Dun & Bradstreet, there are approximately 4,850 art galleries in the U.S. That might seem like a high number, however it’s incomparable to the number of competing artists still waiting to be discovered, hoping to one day make a comfortable living selling their work. Comparably, it’s really no different from the hyper-competitive music industry. For every talent who gets discovered and signs a deal with a major music label, there are countless other gifted musicians toiling away in local establishments who will never see the inside of a recording studio. What’s at stake when it comes to being discovered in the world of art collecting? A global market estimated at $50 billion in sales last year, at least according to The Art Market 2021, an annual market analysis compiled by Art Basel and UBS. To be clear, that is a robust number, despite two consecutive years of declining sales, down 22% from 2019, and 27% from 2018.

A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP ENTERS A BRAVE NEW WORLD

Although the power dynamic between gallery owners and artists appears to be shifting, one constant remain. The two sides will always be inexorably linked together in a symbiotic relationship.

Artists, many of whom expend all their energy and creation to develop works that express themselves, will continue to need the proper environment for displaying them. They also need the gallery owner’s expertise, judgment, knowledge, and connections to help them receive the recognition they deserve and a fair price for their works. They need the reassurance that comes with trusting the gallery owner’s innate understanding of how art buyers, collectors, and investors think. A gallery owner can help artists stay grounded in the face of critics and detractors while exposing them to a much wider world of art that exists beyond their own work and experiences. Artists need the kind of industry knowledge, influence, and promotional acumen that only a gallery owner can properly provide.

Gallery owners, whose lives revolve around an endless amount of artistic creation, will always be searching for the next artist of significance. An artist whose works draw curiosity and intrigue at first glance will always be of interest. There is nothing like the feeling when a gallery owner senses an immediate connection to a particular artists’ work. They’ve reviewed tens of thousands of works over the years, continually searching for a style that will resonate with buyers, collectors, and investors. Artists are the very lifeblood of the gallery owner’s existence, the reason they get up every day and begin their search for greatness all over again. The artists on their rosters both intrigue and enchant gallery owners, leaving them in awe of the rare talent and ambition that it takes to succeed in this business. These owners review thousands and thousands of artists and their works, never tiring of the search to discover something meaningful—art that holds up over time.

No, the shifting power dynamic between gallery owners and artists is not a troubling development. It is merely an opportunity for both to represent the best interests and highest ideals that make up their symbiotic relationship. The transactional nature of the art marketplace may indeed be evolving, offering artists a better chance at having their works discovered. Regardless of who wields the leverage between the two, gallery owners and artists know that earning and maintaining trust in one another is the stable foundation of a mutually beneficial relationship. In a perfect world, that should never change.

About the Author: Bernard Markowicz is an entrepreneur, gallerist, and owner of Markowicz Fine Art, with galleries in the Design Districts of Miami, Dallas, and a newly opened third location in Laguna Niguel, California. Originally from Arras, on the northern border of France and Belgium, Markowicz began collecting artwork at the young age of sixteen. He currently lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife Sophie, and has four children, six grandchildren, and a passion for slalom water skiing.

The post The Shifting Power Dynamic Between Gallery Owners and Artists appeared first on Art Business News.

Temperature

When you look at the history of art, many pieces survived hundreds of years without air condition. But when it comes to modern art, they need more care because, for example, what if you have a piece made of wax-based materials? In summer, within a couple of minutes, a sculpture or an encaustic painting would melt and drip on the floor. The damage might not be so severe to other materials, but not taking care of the art pieces will shorten their lifespan. Even transporting them to the storage is risky, so it is always better to have fine art moving insurance as an added layer of protection.

The temperature inside the storage unit mustn’t fluctuate too much. It needs to be at a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If there are sudden upsurges or drops in temperature, it can crack the paint, damage the paper, and make wood crack. Not to mention it will most certainly encourage mold to thrive and wreak havoc on everything in its path.

Humidity

A high concentration of humidity in the space where artwork is stored can cause the same level of damage as the high temperatures. Likewise, too low, and material like wood will get dry and brittle. Thus, artwork needs to be kept at the constant 55% humidity, which is an optimal state. In a climate-controlled storage unit, this is easy to do with a few buttons. However, this type of storage might seem like an expansive solution for keeping everything safe. But when you look at it long-term, the cost of conservation and restoration is even higher. Not to mention that you can never fix some damages.

However, even with all these precautions, it is better to visit the unit from time to time and check on the state of things. One of the first signs that something is wrong will be the smell of mold.

Light

Another enemy of the artwork is the light. More specifically, the ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight can damage paper, leather, paint, and a range of other materials. Therefore, when the time comes to hang the art for a show, you should pick a place away from the window. It is why the best climate-controlled storage unit for your artwork is one without windows. However, if by any chance this is impossible to avoid, do not worry as there are a few solutions.

There are modern materials that work as filters for UV light. They easily cover the windows and perfectly protect the art. The first one is ultraviolet filtering Plexiglass and another Acrylite. They are so light and easy to use that artists often use them to cover paintings instead of glass. Also, it is shatter-resistant, so if an accident happens, the artwork is completely protected.

Pests

The only way to keep the temperature and humidity under total control at all times is in a well-sealed unit. This means that besides the air condition, there are no other passages for pests like rats and mice to enter. It is really good news as they can, unfortunately, in a single day devastate an art collection. And often, these types of damages are impossible to repair because one thing they love to do is nibble on materials and leave behind sizable holes. Therefore, paper, leather, and paintings are never safe from them. Also, in regular storage units, there is always danger from insects. Unlike with mice, it is impossible to set traps, so the only way to get rid of them is by using chemicals. Alas, most of them would damage the artwork.

Atmospheric Pullutants

One thing people often forget is that air pollution is also a danger to artwork. There are so many harmful particles that the only way to keep your pieces safe from them is in a stable environment like a climate-controlled storage unit. Because it is sealed tight, it will keep dust and pollen away from entering the unit. And removing them from the artwork surface takes time because they get sticky, and it is impossible to wipe them away. Only experts have the skill and proper materials to do it properly. Otherwise, improvising by using untested chemicals can cause more damage than good.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should only store artwork in a climate-controlled storage unit. Once you have selected a suitable one, the work is not over. It is always possible for conditions to change and put artwork in danger. Therefore, it is always prudent to visit the unit at least once a month to check everything. The most common sign to look for is mold on the floor and walls. It will appear as a gray discoloration, that if left unchecked, will spread to everything else. As soon as you notice it, decrease the humidity, and consult with an expert if there is something more to do. For more thorough protection, you can leave a sensor that will ping your phone as soon as there is any change. With the right environment, your artwork will remain intact indefinitely.

Author bio: Jon Carpenter is a freelance writer that works closely with Movage Moving NYC, where he employs his expertise in helping clients relocate and safely store their artwork.

The post Why Store Artwork In A Climate-Controlled Storage Unit? appeared first on Art Business News.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and why fine art photography is your path?

A: Being an architect and a very visual person, I found my artistic expression in photography. Since my college time in Europe, I started exploring black and white photography and participated in many National Geographic competitions. During my exchange year in Marseille, I got inspired by the magical light in the south of France and spent hours in the darkroom developing my black and white photos. In 2014, I moved to New York City, where I attended several photography classes at the International Center of Photography to deepen my knowledge and experiment with photography. In April 2015, I had my first exhibition Street Photography and Urban Landscape at Columbia University. Last year, when New York City became the epicenter of the pandemic, I started my photography project on Instagram called S.O.S – Save our Spirit with the message that while the virus is strong, our New York spirit is stronger.

Q: Why did you do this project?

A: There were few reasons to create this project. First, I wanted to avoid depression while being alone during the pandemic. Second, I wanted to capture this unique moment in history. Third, I wanted to share my photography with the world.

Q: How long did this project take?

A: I started my project on March 1, 2020, when the first Coronavirus case was detected in New York City. It’s a visual diary of the Pandemic where I matched the news of the day with a relevant photo, mostly in a symbolic way. I have been posting one picture per day for 16 months now. This project became my main occupation during the pandemic and kept me busy and creative during these difficult times.

Q: What are the sizes of the images?

A: All my pictures were taken with my iPhone and their sizes are between 2-6 MB.

Q: What is the purpose of the project?

A: The purpose of the project was to document the pandemic time. When New York City became the epicenter of the pandemic, life suddenly disappeared. I was out every day capturing this surreal situation. It gave me very mixed emotions — I felt happy and sad at the same time. The City of Silence was beautiful from an artistic point of view, but it was painful to see my favorite city so empty and deserted.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish by doing this?

A: Besides the artistic aspect of my project, I wanted to keep up our spirit and support New Yorkers during this time of crisis. I felt the need to share my photography with others, while spreading the good energy and keeping up the New York spirit. We were all in this together, and everyone contributed in one way or another. I used my photography skills and my passion to deliver uplifting messages every day and show how strong and resilient New Yorkers are.

Q: Which photographers influence you and how did they influence your thinking and photographing?

A: I was always inspired by the big masters from Europe, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Doisneau. I loved their black and white street photography in Paris and the unique moments they captured with their cameras. During my classes at ICP in New York, I also discovered Vivian Maier who was a secret street photographer. I started seeing the city life in frames and was looking for those special moments which make every picture unique.

Q: What motivates you to continue taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually, or emotionally?

A: For me, photography is about capturing the moment and showing the Magic of the World. New York City is a magical place, and it changes constantly. I love the energy of this city; it drives me and inspires me every day. I’m looking for magical moments to show our diversity. My photos are mostly emotional, with a very esthetic component.

But last year I also delivered a strong message for equality and justice. I documented the City of Silence during the lockdown and participated in ten bike protests for Black Lives Matter, called Justice Rides. This difficult pandemic year was a breakthrough for me as a photographer. As a result of my hard work, I was honored to show my photography in three exhibitions in New York. Two pictures from Black Lives Matter bike protests have been featured at the Museum of the City of New York and at the Women Street Photographers group exhibition. The third picture from the Lockdown was selected for a virtual exhibition about the Quiet City at the Sembrich Museum in Lake George.

Q: Which image of the series is your favorite and why?

A: I chose a selection of my 7 favorite photos to show the diversity of the covered subjects and the development of the turbulent times during the pandemic and BLM protests. My absolute favorite picture is Hope is in the Air which was featured in one of the exhibitions. It shows the empty Ghost City covered in fog and a stop sign at the light as a symbol of a forbidden zone. The famous HOPE sculpture delivers a message of hope, but the mood of the picture is very mysterious. The lost bike stands for loneliness and confusion, while the Chase signs remind us about not giving up and chasing our dreams. It is the perfect picture to express the isolation during the pandemic time.

About Anna: Anna Jast is an architect by education and photographer by passion. She grew up in Vienna, where she graduated in Architecture at the Vienna University of Technology. In 2009 she moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where she discovered her talent for organizing shows and worked for Baselworld, the famous Jewelry and Watch Show. Anna has over ten years of international experience in event management on various interior design and exhibition projects. She strongly supports the arts and culture, while volunteering for various art shows and cultural institutions. Due to her multicultural background, Anna is fluent in four languages.

Instagram: @SaveOurSpirit_NYC

Email: annajast@yahoo.com

The post Save Our Spirit: An Interview With Anna Jast appeared first on Art Business News.

Let’s see why technology will save art and what’s important for the success of a contemporary artist.

AI That Creates Art

The very use of AI adds to the mystique of works of art. The use of machine learning often produces unexpected results that cannot be explained and that humans would be unlikely to have thought of. Such art transcends human cultural patterns, so it has the power to surprise. Perhaps this is why Ahmed Elgamal, director of the Art and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Rutgers University, believes that the future lies in human-machine collaboration.

AI has long mediated the creation of art. For example, here’s a tweet created by Neural Machine’s Translation Project, which has been around since 2017:

“The artist’s job is to start the process of restoring rainbows.” (Neural Machine @neural_machine, March 31, 2020)

A special topic is neural network-based services that help anyone create artwork in seconds. In 2016, we saw the rise of the Prisma app, which allows you to transfer the styles of famous artists into photos. And in 2019, the FaceApp app, which everyone remembers for its photo-aging feature, became virally popular.

There are more serious examples. In 2018, the Edmond de Belamy painting, shown above, sold at a Christie’s auction for $432,000 and was created with the help of a neural network. In doing so, the creative team at Obvious, which presented this work to the world, used free code from GitHub.

Therefore, the ability to code (even at a basic level) in combination with out-of-the-box thinking greatly expands the opportunities for creativity. The future is for creative programmers who can develop not only code, but also an original idea.

The Line Between Science and Art

The deeper an artist understands human physiology and psychology, the more interesting effects he can create. The knowledge of neurobiology and technical savvy allows one to create truly amazing projects.

What about visualizing abstract concepts like freedom, power, love, or money by interpreting human brain waves? The Value of Value project, which belongs to the neuro-design genre on the blockchain, allows us not only to see these concepts but also to assign a value to each and then to share the unique 3D models created.

The combination of science and art allows the average viewer to join the comprehension of the mysteries of the universe. For example, the NanoArt21 project uses electron microscopes to create Nano pictures and Nano sculptures from atoms and molecules.

A striking example is the Nano sculpture, created by Romanian scientist and artist Chris Orfescu. He combined graphite micro-and nanoparticles, which are about a hundred thousand times smaller than the thickness of a human hair, and visualized the work with a scanning electron microscope. And, most importantly, he added conceptuality and emotion to the result of his work, which made it possible to turn boring science into art interesting for the masses.

What Qualities Art Important to a Contemporary Artist?

To surprise a typical modern art consumer, there are three most important qualities for an artist:

• A minimum of technical knowledge. In today’s digital world it’s very hard to be without it.
• The ability to think dialectically. It means to discover concepts (not necessarily the opposite) and combine them into something new. It sounds confusing, but it’s actually easy to understand. You can take sound and taste as thesis and antithesis, and then synthesize them in a creative project; which, for example, transforms a person’s brainwaves into music as he tastes different foods. Or you could create a music video or a photo project based on different people’s associations of sounds with food, depending on your skills and imagination.
• Understanding the structure of the world. Surprise is always a consequence of breaking the usual course of things. And to disrupt something, you need a good understanding of the rules — how everything works. For example, knowing popular optical illusions, an artist can create an engaging scenario in VR. And then break the usual course of things, causing cognitive dissonance and showing the vulnerable places of human perception of the world.

In general, the artist of today must become a professional in the field of breaking patterns, knowing a lot about the world order, and touching the edge of the unknowable, an area where there are still no clear answers. Art is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, and the artist is increasingly a programmer, a philosopher, and a scientist.

Author’s bio: Jean Hartley is a professional writer for essay writing service. For 6 years now, she has been helping students learn to write correctly and also assists in preparing for exams.

The post The Art of High Technology Requires Being a Programmer and a Scientist appeared first on Art Business News.

Individual appreciation of art makes it difficult to develop a single conclusion on the value of art in the life of a person. For instance, some people appreciate paintings while others would rather enjoy music. The beauty of such music or painting is not considered uniform. For this reason, there is no agreement yet on the value of art in generating happiness.

That notwithstanding, art is individually pleasant. The enjoyment of music, for example, does not require the approval of other people. Here is how art generates happiness for consumers and creators.

Consuming Art

There are successful artists in the world, each operating in a particular sphere. It means that most of people around the world are consumers of art products like music, paintings, sculpture, embroidery, and jewelry, among other forms. How does the consumption of such art bring happiness? Here are a few insights.

• Relaxing

Art is relaxing, moving you to a realm of happiness. Think about music and how it helps listeners to calm down. It gets better when you sing along to the verses or perform music prepared by other people.

Music is also used as a form of therapy during reflection and yoga. Music relaxes the mind, helping you to deal with anxiety and tough situations in life. In a relaxed state, your mind is calm and can handle tougher situations. If you want to calm down the mind and feel at ease, enjoy your favorite or art.

• Relieves stress

Art is a stress reliever. Tour a gallery or attend a festival while your mind is bogged down by heavy thoughts. Dance to music or visit an art gallery. You may also paint to express your anxiety and keep the mind occupied so that you do not get lost in negative thoughts.

Music therapy has been in use for years. Kings, patients, and children enjoyed the music during tough times. It will change your mood instantly when you engage in one art form or the other. Luckily, there are no side effects to using art as a stress reliever. Further, you can enjoy a lot of art free of charge.

• Ignites Creativity

Do you want to be a more creative individual, entrepreneur, or worker? Embrace art and your perspective of life will change. A lot of sadness comes from being stuck with a situation or failure to find solutions. Once you engage in an art like poetry or painting, your imagination limits expand. You begin to see possibilities. What appeared impossible now becomes possible.

A creative person is a happier human being. You first enjoy your ability to solve problems through creativity. The solutions you provide may also come with monetary rewards. This creativity will also send more information into your brain, leaving you more energetic and innovative. All these are ways of deriving happiness from art.

• Builds Beautiful Memories

Visiting new places and engaging with people is one way of packing beautiful memories in life. When you dance or tour a gallery, you are building an album of memories that will become a constant source of happiness. During some of these engagements, you participate actively. For instance, you may paint or sing in a karaoke. You experience instant joy and will live with the memories through the years.

• Keeps you Healthier

A healthy person is a happy person. The reverse can also be true. Once you are happy by engaging in art, you improve the quality of your life, leaving you healthier. Touring beautiful places, participating in art, and engaging people is a great source of happiness.

Participatory art takes the benefit of good health a notch higher. Once you dance for a few hours, the body counts that as physical exercise as well. It sends happiness hormones to the brain, leaving you healthier. Even the avoidance of stress or relieving anxiety through art will count among the contributors of happiness through art.

Art for Artists

Art creators enjoy multiple benefits beyond those of consuming their own art. The process of creation is a great source of happiness. Here are insights on how art will make the creator happy.

• A form of expression

Artists use their creations to express their inner emotions and situations. For instance, a painter may draw a picture as a form of therapy to deal with emotions and frustrations. It also happens when singers release happy and sad songs to express their current state of mind. Once these emotions are released, the artist remains a healthier person going forward.

• Takes you to beautiful places

Art will get you to places you never imagined. Examples are the exhibitions happening in different cities across the world. Traveling with your art comes with incredible joy and fulfillment. At the same time, you meet global celebrities, leaders, and icons in different sectors. Such an experience comes with a lot of excitement, memories, and joy. Without art, such an experience would be impossible.

• Comes with appreciation

The world is made of good people who appreciate beautiful art. Their appreciation gladdens your heart, leaving you happier and satisfied. The satisfaction is only understandable to art creators.

• Source of income

Art is a source of income. The income helps you to improve your quality of life. At the same time, you can use the money to travel or enjoy the good things of life. Such enjoyment of traveling is an incredible source of happiness.

The joy of art is in building a community, offering livelihood to creators, and the overall experience of participating in art. Whether you are a creator or a consumer, you have endless opportunities to draw joy from art. Choose your most pleasant art and build beautiful memories around its creation or consumption.

Author Bio: Anna Johnson is a freelance writer at Mypaperwriter.com specializing in college experience, entrepreneurship, and freelancing. Having worked in these areas, she gives practical and actionable tips. Her joy is to see students create the best college experience and make maximum use of their youthful years.

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World Square, a premier shopping center located in Sydney, Australia, recently partnered with creative hot shop VANDAL to commission a sustainable art sculpture. The sculpture was developed by artist Gabrielle Filtz and is titled “Weaving Thru The World”.

“The recycled materials used in the artwork consist of discarded fabrics, ribbons, and rope from old City of Sydney street banners, festivals, and flags – including Mardi Gras festivals. Collected from Reverse Garbage in Marrickville, I loved using discarded materials to create public art, rather than seeing it end up in a landfill.” Says artist Gabrielle Filtz from VANDAL.

World Square Marketing Manager, Marina Zarnitsyna says “Bold, bright, and unique artworks have overtaken the entrances and laneways at World Square, enticing passers-by into the precinct to explore the dynamic mix of over 100 food, fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, and essential service stores. The Spanish Stairs at George Street is one of the highlights of this bold and colorful project.”

Gabrielle Filtz wanted to not only create an oversized public art sculpture but also ensure the artwork could be created in a sustainable fashion. “I’m very proud of the sustainable use of recycled materials,” says Filtz. “I kept asking myself how the artwork can show Sydney, and the wider world, that we are creating a beautiful statement piece and also be mindful of the delicate ecosystem on this beautiful planet of ours.”

After multiple trips to Reverse Garbage in Marrickville, she was sure she had a colorful palette of recycled, reusable mediums to work with.

Filtz used Old City of Sydney street banners, ribbons, rope, and fabrics to create her masterpiece. By purchasing recycled materials from Reverse Garbage, she supported their recycling contributions and also gave life to Sydney’s cultural heritage for art lovers and city-goers to enjoy!

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What is an NFT?

The NFT acronym stands for non-fungible token. It is a collectible digital asset that has value as a cryptocurrency and as a form of art and culture. NFT is a digital token like Bitcoin and Ethereum; but unlike coins in the blockchain, it is unique and cannot be exchanged for something similar to it; that is why it is called non-fungible.

What makes NFT unique and different from crypto coins then? NFT files store information aside from currencies. That makes it possible for them to be converted into absolutely anything. There are different types of NFTs, but the most common one right now is digital art.

When you think of NFT art, imagine a physical collectors’ item. But instead of getting an oil painting on a canvas to hang on your wall, you get a JPEG file. NFT art owners can sell artwork in the form of a blockchain gif just as legally as traditional artists sell their paintings.

How do NFTs Work?

NFTs have become very popular in the digital art and gaming worlds. For digital artists, stepping into NFTs is an avenue to showcase their work to the world. With these digital expressions of their art, they can get support and recognition and earn money.

In the gaming world, NFTs have shaken up the concept of buying game assets too. Initially, people purchased virtual gaming assets belonging to a company. But with NFTs, players can own these gaming assets.

Do NFTs Give Hope to Digital Artists?

As they say, modern problems require modern solutions. Plagiarism has hit the art world hard since the pandemic. So, artists, especially those who produce cyber art, have been at a loss.

Cyber art is a non-traditional style of painting that uses computer software and hardware. The most common cyber art tools are tablets, styluses, and software that can render images. But because this art style is digital, it is nearly impossible for artists to control how their art moves from hands to hands. A reliable way for digital artists online to protect their work while making a profit is by making it an NFT art.

Let’s use the Rainbow Cat GIF by NyanCat as an example. 

The artist sold this shaking GIF of a pixelated cat for $693,000, and it is an NFT art. But do you think we paid that much money to use it in this article? We aren’t Bill Gates yet, unfortunately.

Yes, anyone can download this GIF online, but our downloaded versions aren’t as valuable as the original NFT artwork nestling in a secure blockchain. There will only be one original Rainbow Cat gif and wealthy art lovers will fork out a fortune for its ownership rights.

So, is NFT Art Here to Stay?

NFT art has apparent benefits. The artwork Everydays: The First 5000 Days by Beeple was auctioned off at $69.3 million at Christie’s. 

After that sale, the internet and tabloids were frenzied as artists didn’t think digital art should cost that much money. Understandably, people fear what they don’t understand. For some, it felt like NFT art was stealing the thunder of other handmade works.

But the skepticism around NFT has steadily increased. Artnet analyzed Beeple’s art and found out that it contained many racist and sexist references. While that doesn’t necessarily undermine NFT art, it takes some shine off the Beeple’s milestone.

Is NFT Art Sustainable?

Since NFT is under the Ethereum blockchain, this information does not fill us with much hope because an Ethereum transaction takes up the electricity equivalent of an American household for two days. Even a single Bitcoin transaction takes up more electricity than Argentina does. So, for every NFT minted, there is a drawback.

NFTs operate in a largely unregulated market, just like cryptocurrencies. And if you are looking to buy NFT art for investment purposes, such a market may not be your kettle of fish. Items appreciate and lose value on a whim in the crypto market.

As an NFT art investor, there is little guarantee that you will profit when you hold an artwork to resell later. How much profit you make by reselling in the NFT marketplace depends on the demand for your art, not on its value. Additionally, the fact that anyone can download superficially indistinguishable copies of your art means that ordinary folks have less incentive to pay for it.

When you purchase an NFT art, what exactly do you own? Why stake that much for something intangible? At the moment, there is no indication that you get paid when users freely download or share an NFT art that you own. These and many more question marks form a bubble around what the future holds for NFT artists and collectors.

The Bottom Line

The pandemic has affected every sphere of our lives and livelihoods. Art creators also had a tough time selling their works since people were stocking up on essentials. So NFTs became an innovative response for these artists to make money.

As an artist, you can decide to make your work a non-fungible token, but don’t put all your eggs in that basket yet. The value of your artwork hinges on the trends in a market that you have little control of, and a digital token can drastically lose value at any point. NFT art is making waves right now, but we haven’t seen enough to believe that it will stand the test of time. While we admire the concept behind the NFT marketplace, it is likely to be a fast trend.

Author’s Bio: Amanda Dudley is a professional essayist who works in a college essay writing service agency. She is also a professor of history at Stanford University, lending to her credibility in the world of academic writing. Amanda is passionate about teaching and has worked with special needs children. To sharpen her mind, she stays abreast of new developments in art and technology.

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