Because of the diversification at work in contemporary art, identifying specific trends can often be difficult. After all, if you go to one show specializing in wind art and another promising art, while still a third promises a new collection of abstract artists, the different media and themes you see at work can make it tough to project where art is going next. It is one thing to look back from this point and understand how this trend combined with that trend to make kinetic wind sculptures a natural result of art trends, but it is harder to see trends as they are building.
However, there are some conclusions that one can draw after taking a big glance over the last ten years to see the new directions that Austin artists and creators all over the country will be taking in the near future. One artist that I like in particular can be found by typing in "Designs by LaPaso".
However, there are some conclusions that one can draw after taking a big glance over the last ten years to see the new directions that Austin artists and creators all over the country will be taking in the near future. One artist that I like in particular can be found by typing in "Designs by LaPaso".
1. The blending of new media
Between 2000 and 2009, a lot of the hippest art billed itself as dealing with the latest technology. In general, artists try to use what retailers call the "trailing edge" of new technology: the products are still new, but the prices have come down since the price's initial stage in the stratosphere. As time goes by, new media will appear as something more embedded in an environment. In the last decade, you saw rooms filled with speakers, computers and bulbs. Expect to see those objects blended in with other tools of art going forward.
2. The fingerprints of social media
Over time, social media has turned into a gold mine for those with an imagination. The possibilities that outlets like Facebook, Twitter and the like provide are rich sources of inspiration, as well as financing. The crowd-sourcing movement, using sites like Kickstarter, is likely to give many artists access to money that they might not have found otherwise, because real life patrons require networking that simply has been beyond many artists in the past. Twitter also allows artists to collaborate together on larger projects, but trends are showing more crowd-funding that teamwork through social media, at least right now.
3. The 20x200 movement
This phenomenon has led to mechanical reproductions of visual art. This isn't the former practice of churning out poster after poster of the same painting, though. Instead, it's digital work that artists make for the sole purpose of reproduction. It's difficult for painters to set up online galleries and well work from there. However, New York's 20x200 model has brought considerable attention from venture capitalists that normally would not be heading into the world of art, because this model is measurable and viable over time. This degree of reliability will increase the viability of art over the next decade.
4. An increase in web videos
While still works like paintings, photographs and sculptures remain popular among artists, the fact is that video blends in the sense of sound as well as movement, making it possible to take multiple images and make them part of the same work of art. As the web gets a higher profile, and the increased bandwith continues to grow, more and more artworks and shows will use video as another expressive medium.
These changes are just the beginning when it comes to the latest art trends. Having confidence in your work is a major plus, because the wide range in outlets for works of art gives you a lot of opportunities to be creative.
These changes are just the beginning when it comes to the latest art trends. Having confidence in your work is a major plus, because the wide range in outlets for works of art gives you a lot of opportunities to be creative.