Art in Today’s World

Some of the most memorable imprints of humanity in our world are works of art. Take Guernica, by Pablo Picasso, or The Thinker by Auguste Rodin. Pieces like these have transcended the realm of structure and design, creeping into the world of monumental timepieces that demonstrate human excellence. There’s no denying some artists go down in history as celebrated societal figures. However… today, a career in art is heavily frowned upon, to the point where budding artists lose their passion due to the constant stigma against art. Additionally, this isn’t the only challenge today’s artists face – the preference for new, upgraded types of art are constantly evolving, and with the introduction of tools like Artificial Intelligence, the appeal towards a job in the arts is deteriorating. 

I’ve taken some time to ask talented artist and basketball player, Jenny Briggs, about her views on the topics.

Have you had any experience with the social stigma against a career in art, and if not, what are your thoughts about it?

JB: I have experienced it a little bit and seen my friends experience it as well. I find the social stigma against a career in art both understanding but disheartening as it causes a lot of people to stop creating art once they reach high school. 

I have thought of pursuing a career in art but recognize how hard it is to be consistently creative and find your own audience so you can have a good income. So I see both sides of the argument but I think it does more harm than good.

Jenny mentioned how it was a widespread notion among her peers that they’d want jobs “just for their salaries,” and how art would not be a viable option in light of that. Furthermore, she raises a fair point – about how the stigma against art can be disheartening, as it halts the progress of those who have the potential to become the next visionaries in the field of art.  

“There’s artwork in almost everything we do,” Jenny says, “like playing video games or taking a picture of the sunset.” Art is undeniable, and so is its presence in every aspect of our world. Society has loved art forever – and it will continue to love it. “I definitely think society has more of a preference for the arts.” 

Why do you think society highly prefers the arts, but isn’t very encouraging when it comes to an art career?

JB: I believe there is this idea that in order to be successful in an arts career you have to be famous or well known, so many people find this an unattainable goal and therefore stick with a “practical” job that has a clear path towards success. Although it does help to be well known for your work, artists have to start from somewhere in order to become successful, just like other jobs. So this preconceived idea commonly leads artists to feel like their dream is unachievable.

The long, fruitless journey it takes for the majority of artists to make a mark on society often waves them away from a career in art, on the grounds of “impracticality.” It’s hard to make art that will please a large enough audience, and it’s even harder to maintain a creative streak while starting from the basics. Unfortunately, that is the position a lot of young artists are put in.

A lot of individuals aspire to be the new Picasso or the new Dali — but society’s art standards have changed since then, considering the rise of modern art. What type of art do you think would reach the most people in today’s society?

JB: With the rise of AI art a lot of people will want to see a more realistic style that includes a lot of details but still has abstract elements to it, if that makes sense. With regards to fine art, I think we’ll also see art become more expressive with artists adding in more symbolism to their work.

According to Jenny, the people’s tastes have changed, and they want the standards that AI art brings them. It alludes to a future where AI art is heavily preferred over human art, and how there’s a possibility of it overtaking the latter. Nevertheless, all hope isn’t lost yet. AI art is still easily identifiable, and doesn't convey the same humane feelings art offers.

How do you think AI plays a role in society’s minds when it comes to art? Will it outdo human artists?

JB: I hope we’ll see restrictions on AI art as it takes art created by real people and claims it as its own. In my opinion, everytime I see AI artworks they have a bare feeling that is not as expressive as real artwork. Because AI art takes only a few seconds to generate, I believe we’ll see more AI artists but the consumer will probably and hopefully want to see artwork made by real people, and not outdo human artists.

We must promote the idea of making art out of passion and love rather than giving in to commercial demands or cultural expectations in order to dispel the stigma associated with art careers and AI art. We may redefine success in artistic careers by appreciating art for what it is, which is intrinsically valuable and joyful. This change promotes artists’ genuine pursuit of their profession and cultivates an environment where creativity thrives despite conventional success metrics, ultimately benefiting the artist and society as a whole.

Works Cited

Barner, Lousie. “String Kiss Art.” unsplash.com, 16 March 2021, https://unsplash.com/s/photos/string-kiss. Accessed 29 June 2024.

Lancaster, Erika. “Erika Lancaster - ART.” Erika Lancaster- Artist, Content Creator & Art Tutor, https://www.erikalancaster.com/. Accessed 29 June 2024.

Lee, James. “350+ Graffiti Pictures [HD] | Download Free Images on Unsplash.” Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/s/photos/graffiti. Accessed 29 June 2024.

Tibaldo, Margherita. “The Struggles of Being an Artist.” Creative Pinellas, 21 January 2022, https://creativepinellas.org/magazine/the-struggles-of-being-an-artist/. Accessed 29 June 2024.