The Future of Art: A Virtual Reality
The art world is undergoing a big transformation, and US artist KAWS is on the forefront of this transformation. With the assistance of Acute Art, a London-based firm that produces and sells virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) works, KAWS is offering a glimpse right into a future where museums, art fairs, and even physical art may now not be needed.
A Global Exhibition Like No Other
Until March 26, users of the Acute Art app can view one in all KAWS’s signature Companion characters floating in 12 cities around the globe, including London, New York, and Tokyo. This virtual exhibition is being touted as the primary truly global exhibition, and it is not hard to see why. With the app, users can experience KAWS’s art in a very recent and immersive way, without the necessity for physical galleries or museums.
Making Art Accessible to All
In addition to the virtual exhibition, KAWS has made 25 editions of the AR sculpture available for purchase at $10,000 each. However, for individuals who cannot afford the hefty price tag, there are more cost-effective options available. For a limited time, users can acquire three smaller versions of the AR sculpture for $6.99 each, or $29.99 for all three. This makes KAWS’s art more accessible to a wider audience, and helps to democratize the art world.
The Future of the Art World
According to Jacob De Geer, the chief executive of Acute Art, this project represents a natural progression of where the art world is headed. "People don’t need to travel, people wish to be greener," he says. "It’s also about taking pictures and sharing them. For a generation that’s raised, as all of us are nowadays, the world through social media, through handsets, it’s completely natural." The project’s give attention to sustainability and accessibility is a key a part of its appeal, and helps to pave the best way for a more environmentally-friendly art world.
Ecological Concerns and the Art World
Acute Art director Daniel Birnbaum notes that ecological concerns were a significant component in the event of the project. "The art world has to develop recent models," he says. "I do not think that the art fair and biennale model, where everybody flies to Hong Kong for a weekend and ships the art that they will take a look at after which takes it home, are possible models for the longer term." KAWS’s project offers a special model, one that permits for global participation and engagement without the necessity for physical travel.
The Impact of Virtual Art
As people around the globe go into lockdown on account of the coronavirus pandemic, the virtual KAWS exhibition has turn into a welcome distraction. Users are taking to social media to share their experiences with the virtual art, and the project has proven to be a timely and progressive solution to the challenges faced by the art world. "We had no idea about coronavirus after we were developing the project," Birnbaum says. "The fantastic thing about that is, there’s nothing that forces anyone to be inside along with a lot of other people and also you haven’t got to participate at any specific moment."
Conclusion
The virtual KAWS exhibition represents a big shift within the art world, one which prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, and innovation. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it’s likely that we’ll see more projects like this in the longer term. For now, the virtual KAWS exhibition offers a glimpse right into a possible future for the art world, one which is more inclusive, more sustainable, and more virtual than ever before.
