The Digital Art Revolution
Where Can Digital Art Be Applied?
When we think of the word “digital,” we think of computers: a sequence of intangible codes and numbers that create the vast world sitting behind the screens our eyes stare into seven hours a day. Likewise, the association exists for digital art — art that exists in static form and within the confines of a screen. But as technology continues to occupy a larger sphere in our lives, the lines between the digital and tangible worlds are beginning to blur. Although computer-generated digital art can be accessed wherever there is internet, the experience of examining the piece seated in a room is stale, and uninspiring.
Posh_space is offering up a solution to break this stasis, and create a methodology for digital art to be displayed in any corner of the world — without geographical barriers. Colloquially this method is is being referred to as “phygital”. By projecting a digital art piece onto an item of clothing, the digital artist has the opportunity to showcase their work wherever the wearer takes it, whether it be a rush hour in the Manhattan subways or on the Tran-Siberian express. Likewise, this process can be used by artists who create installations: an art installation is confined to a gallery space, but Posh_space’s methods will allow the artist to project it onto an article of clothing. The technology used allow for images with motion to display on the clothing. In addition to Posh_space, several other brands and companies are already making strides in the phygital world.
The annual exhibition Digital Decade, that has been running since 2013, is one of the pioneers in the intersections between the digital and physical forms. The exhibition is organized by the Designcollector Network, which was founded by Russian-born digital art curator Arseny Vesnin. The exhibitions feature emerging digital artists that work to present the geopolitical, environmental, social and interstellar changes taking place in our world with digital art and technology. Visitors are treated with a variety of digital mediums from VR, print, and phygital works, Interactive installations, as well as creative talks from leaders in the industry.
Among the presented pieces are phygital fashion objects, clothing and accessories that display digital art — from prints to mobile gifs. Open calls provide emerging artists with a chance to showcase their work, one-third of whom are then chose to take part.
While the work done by Digital Decade in showcasing digital art is impressive, it’s limitation lies in its stasis. The exhibition has moved cities, from London, to St. Petersburg, to Barcelona, and back to London — but herein lies the limitation. The exhibitions can only be visited during their opening hours, at the locations where they’re being curated. Posh_space will allow artists like the one’s taking part in Digital Decade to project their works any time and anywhere, beyond the limits of time and space.
There was a time when computer-generated digital art seemed like the next big thing. But, unfortunately for its innovators, the idea didn’t quite launch. A platforms like Seditionart allows users to collect, trade and purchase digital artworks any time and anywhere, but with one caveat — they’ll only be accessed through a screen. And what fun is that? It’s true, we’re often accompanied by screens 24-hours of the day. But pulling out your iPhone to show your friend a cool Japanese animation you just purchased for 350 USD is certainly not as cool as, say, having the animation constantly moving on your t shirt. The wearer becomes the gallery, drawing the eyes of curious onlookers everywhere. Let’s face it, nobody wants to pay money for an art piece that will just sit on a computer. Like Seditionart, Posh_space will have a catalogue of artists and pieces for users to browse through; but, by allowing the piece to project onto a t-shirt, jacket or bracelet, Posh_space takes the process one step further. The clothing item combined with the art piece will also be released in a limited edition. Imagine, being one of 5 people in the world with a KAWS-decorated Armani watch.
When the word fashion is involved, the threat of commodification always emerges on the horizon. Posh_space will seeks to alleviate artists’ fears of commodification by allowing artists to release their collections in limited editions. The works of artists like KAWS, and Takashi Murakami seem a perfect match for a t-shirt: they’re a fun, quirky, and wildly colorful feast for the eyes. But certainly artists of such a caliber will fear that by allowing their works to display on clothing articles, their works will lose their essence, and be swept into the world of commodification. But by releasing the items in limited editions, these artists will be guaranteed immunity from the claws of commodification. And for a user, it’ll be like wearing a limited edition of sneakers, or owning an original painting. Posh_space seeks to imbue a digital art piece with an unparalleled value.
Thought your Gucci jacket couldn’t get any cooler? Adorned with Murakami’s psychedelic flowers, if only for just a week, will certainly make it the coolest Gucci jacket in the world.
