The Arts in Social Media

Art has been around for at least 100,000 years with evidence and personal adornments of much earlier than that. Some of the older examples include figurative art such as paintings or in sculptures of animals and humans in the upper palaeolithic age, with discoveries found in Europe and Indonesia. Neanderthals creating art inside of caves also pushes the timeline back to at least 65,000 years ago. It has always been a way to express oneself in a way that words just can't describe, and it makes sense that it existed before humans had the level of intellect that they do today, because emotion has no boundary of knowledge.  It has been displayed across centuries in diverse locations, including public museums and galleries that preserve its age and intention, in the temples of Egyptians as a way of communication and respect, and most of all is used as a decoration and most ages because it is beautiful enough to be displayed in any place.  

To the benefit of artists online, social media at its highest usage peak as of 2023, with approximately 59% of the global population using it for an average of two hours a day. Consequently, art is no longer confined to galleries or museums. Art has become more accessible, shareable and interactive than ever before. Social media is an incredible platform that allows artists to share their work with a global audience instantly. Emerging artists that are in any age group can also express themselves without the need for a gallery. On social media you can display your process so that other people on the internet can become more immersed in the process of your creation which can inspire them to pursue art themselves. Since these platforms are based on videos screenshots and photos, you can showcase all kinds of art like digital, traditional, photography, street art, calligraphy, and fashion. Additionally, with your own account on social media you can decide what you put on it. Different voices and cultures are represented in ways traditional institution sometimes overlook, which allows for liberty of creation, in modern times. Art in social media also increases the likelihood of integrating into a community, collaborating with other creators and connecting with their fans. This also presents many new career paths and opportunities for artists because they can earn commissions sell prints or get discovered through social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram act as digital portfolios and can help when the artist is trying to get into university, art school, or a job. 

But let’s not forget music, because while not being exactly a part of visual arts it still plays a big part in social media videos, with songs being the backtrack of almost every single video on the internet, included in dances. Building on the previous point, social media platforms offer young musicians an alternative pathway to success as independent artists. Instead of relying on traditional agencies that might reject them, musicians can connect directly with fans and build their following, potentially catching the attention of professional agencies in the process. With the small video links of scrollable social media platforms people can upload a very short piece of their song that doesn't require too much listening so that people might wonder what the rest of the song sounds like and then go listen to it.  

However, with all of these likes and positive comments, also come lots of negativity. Posting regular art on social media can lead from burnout from the pressure to constantly produce and maintain an online presence with the same quality that their viewers expect from them with the fear that they might not validate their art. There are always bad people online that feel good about themselves and their insecurities after putting other people down. There is always other competition on social media, and most young artists think that they have to amount to the highest bar when they have little experience. This constant comparison to other artists and the need for external validation can lead to feelings of inadequacy, stress, and low self-esteem. Also creating art with the sole intention of appealing to an audience or algorithm can lead to artists prioritising external approval over their own genuine creative interests. The fast-paced environment of social media can also shorten viewer attention spans which discourages the creation of complex and original work that requires longer engagement and can also lead to quitting a task after one failure and not trying again. The constant validation from other people can shift an artist's focus from the personal satisfaction of creating art to the pursuit of external approval, potentially harming their art. 

In conclusion art has always been a mirror of human expression from prehistoric cave walls to digital canvases today. Social media has expanded this tradition giving artists and musicians unprecedented freedom to share their creativity with the global audience while building communities and careers beyond limit gallery's and record tables. Yet this sensibility also brings new pressures competition comparison and the risk of creating for validation rather than genuine passion. Ultimately art in the age of social media reflects both the opportunities and the challenges of our connected world, and it can inspire, but also remind us of the importance of staying true to the joy of creating. So, ask yourself, will you take the chance of using social media to your advantage, or will you stay away from the negativity that comes with it?

Bibliography:

Steiner, Andy. “Minnesota Teens, through Their Art, Spark Conversations about Youth Mental Health.” MinnPost, 5 Feb. 2024, www.minnpost.com/mental-health-addiction/2024/02/minnesota-teens-through-their-art-spark-conversations-about-youth-mental-health-social-media/.

MasterClass. “What Is New Media Art? Definition and History of New Media Art - 2024 - MasterClass.” MasterClass, 2020, www.masterclass.com/articles/new-media-art-guide. 

Sepehri, Nasrin. “Will You Continue Selling Your Art on Social Media in the near Future?” Stronddo Art, May 2024, stronddo.art/blogs/articles/the-rise-of-social-media-as-a-marketplace-for-art. 

Walker, Sylvia. “What Are the 7 Forms of Art? A Complete Overview – CAI.” Contemporary Art Issue, 26 Oct. 2021, www.contemporaryartissue.com/what-are-the-7-forms-of-art-a-complete-overview/. 

Wikipedia Contributors. “New Media Art.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Jan. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media_art. 

---. “Visual Arts.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_arts.