Art Basel and UBS Launch Series Exploring the Evolution of Digital Art

Episode 1 of the film series 'Decoding Art in the Digital Era,' titled 'What is Art in the Digital Era?', explores the evolution of digital art by situating it within the broader historical context of artists adopting and responding to new technologies. The episode emphasizes that digital art did not originate with recent phenomena such as NFTs, artificial intelligence, or the internet. Instead, artists have been experimenting with computers and code since the 1960s, continuing a much longer tradition of using new technologies to create and conceptualize art.

The episode features a diverse group of contributors, including artists Beeple, Manfred Mohr, Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst, and Sougwen Chung. Their participation provides insight into the varied approaches and practices that define digital art today. In addition to artists, the episode includes perspectives from curator Christiane Paul, gallerist Sofia Garcia, critic Shumon Basar, and UBS art advisors Matthew Newton and Carola Wiese. These voices collectively offer a multifaceted view of how digital tools have influenced artistic practice and the art world.

One of the key themes addressed in the episode is how digital tools have challenged established ideas of what art can be. The discussion reflects on a culture in which technology increasingly shapes how people communicate, create, and experience the world. This ongoing transformation is not limited to the tools artists use, but also extends to the ways in which art is perceived and understood by audiences.

The practices encompassed by digital art today are broad and varied. They include generative systems, artificial intelligence, immersive environments, and decentralized networks. These forms demonstrate the adaptability of artists as they engage with new technological possibilities, expanding the boundaries of artistic expression.

The episode suggests that the distinction between 'digital art' and art itself is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. As digital technologies become more deeply integrated into artistic practice, the boundary between these categories may eventually disappear altogether. This observation points to a future in which digital processes are simply part of the fabric of art making.

Production of the episode involved a team from Art Basel, including Producer and Senior Editor Alicia Reuter, Editorial Assistant Lama Yaghi, and Head of Brand & Creative Jeanne-Salomé Rochat. The production team also included John Gatapia as Editor and Animator, Ryle Newo Torres for animations, Studio Manager Yulia Piskuliyska, and Producer Rissy McGrath. Additional support came from Art Basel Partnerships, with Caitlin Britton as Senior Creative Strategist and Ingrid Wendeling Soares as Partnership Manager, as well as UBS Project Manager Sarah Edelmann-Norton.

Special thanks for the episode were given to Hayley Jones, Founder of Rose Social. The collaborative effort of artists, curators, critics, advisors, and production staff highlights the multifaceted nature of digital art and its ongoing evolution in response to technological change.