We look back at the trends the art industry set this year—from virtual exhibitions to pandemic-themed artworks and more
The pandemic has posed challenges to a lot of industries this year––be it beauty, food, travel or fitness––resulting in trends that are very reflective of the times we're living in. The art world is no exception and like others, the industry has adopted many ways to continue showcasing art in various ways.
To highlight how the year has been for art, we're rounding up the biggest art trends of 2020, from virtual exhibitions, digital art to online auctions and more with some insights from experts in the field.
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Exhibitions go virtual
With travel restrictions on hold and social distancing measures in place, a lot of museums around the world have had to either temporarily close or move their exhibitions online. And while browsing artworks physically is still the most preferred way, online exhibitions have allowed art to transcend across boundaries. We can see an art piece in Europe all the way from our homes here in Hong Kong and it provided a different kind of viewing experience.
Well-known museums like the Lourve to Brooklyn Museum have opted to go virtual, with others such as Schoeni Projects holding two exhibitions, disCONNECT LDN and disCONNECT HK both physically and also online. "As everyone was beginning to replace physical attendance with virtual exhibitions, we questioned whether it was possible to replace a physical art experience with a digital experience. Clearly, one has to always see artworks such as the ones created for our project in person and within the context of its location and that can never be replaced," said Nicole Schoeni, founder of Schoeni Projects and Schoeni Art Consultancy.
While the pandemic prompted exhibitions to go virtual, it seems that the trend will only continue as this new format of exhibiting art not only challenged but opened up possibilities of viewing art beyond traditional means. "There are so many forms in which art expresses itself and I think it’s a platform that merits continued exploration and trying to push boundaries, particularly since the younger generation are becoming more of a digitally-driven society," added Schoeni.
See also: 10 Of The Best Virtual Museum Tours Around The World