lowercase with Sedition Art
Aristarkh Chernyshev, PiO_v_1.1, digital limited edition © Aristarkh Chernyshev, courtesy of www.seditionart.com
We interviewed Sedition Art to find out more about digital art, how it works, how to invest and who to follow. You can find them at https://www.seditionart.com .
When and how did Sedition Art get started?
The company was founded in 2011 by Harry Blain, the founder of Blains Fine Art, Haunch of Venison and Blain|Southern. Since 2013 Blain's brother Rory, a gallerist and gallery director since 2005, has been Director of Sedition.
How has the interest in digital art grown over the last decade?
In the last decade we've seen a huge increase in interest in making artwork that involves, celebrates or critiques the influence of computers on culture. There are so many questions to ask about how computing is changing art and culture - some of the areas Sedition artists explore include asking what a computer's intelligence and creativity look like, investigating virtual renderings of reality or of alternate worlds,or looking at how algorithms influence the way we form and communicate identity (through social media platforms, ad purchases etc). These questions are far from answered, and as such digital art has a very important role at the moment as a field of critical and creative investigation. That said, we frequently hear arguments that 'traditional art is dead' - in much the same way that photography was supposed to herald the death of painting. We do not, and never have, believed this - the digital domain is just another medium and world for the artists to explore.
How does someone own a piece of digital art? Do they just download a file to their device?
To become the owner of a piece of art on Sedition, the first step is to set up a free account by visiting seditionart.com or downloading the iOS or Android app. Then, browse the artworks - when you find a work you like, click Buy and follow the steps. Artworks are only bought and sold within the Sedition universe (i.e. within the app or on the website). This is to ensure that we can prevent unauthorised copying and distribution. Sedition artworks are the 21st century equivalent of traditional art multiples such as silkscreens etchings and woodcuts.
How does the digital art market work? Can it be an investment? How do you guarantee authenticity and the ability to buy and sell?
Artworks on Sedition can be bought, sold and collected just like any physical artworks. When collectors purchase an artwork, they receive a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artist and listing the edition number of the edition they purchased. When the work has sold out, edition owners can resell their works for a profit or a loss on our Trade platform. As the field of digital art continues to grow we can see demand for certain artworks increasing - many collectors who buy works now purchase more than one edition; one to keep and another to sell on Trade. Works can rise or fall in price according to market demand - just as in the physical domain. Our certification system allows us to track each artwork and we know the whereabouts of every edition that has been sold.
Sofia Cianciulli, Introjection, digital limited edition © Sofia Cianciulli, courtesy of www.seditionart.com
How many people stream the art vs buy a copy?
Art Stream is a new feature that we have just launched - it has not yet reached the size of our collecting membership but it is the fastest growing section of Sedition! It is by far the most affordable way to enjoy the art, and we expect subscription membership will outstrip the collector base soon.
Do you think digital art will be the dominant medium/art form in the future?
We think that over the next few decades artworks engaged with digital media will become increasingly relevant and therefore increasingly studied and exhibited. However we don't believe that digital art will replace painting, sculpture or printmaking - rather, we foresee digital and analogue art media becoming increasingly integrated. As mentioned above - it is an additional tool / world to explore - not a replacement.
Grégoire A. Meyer, When The Drape Falls, digital limited edition © Grégoire A. Meyer, courtesy of www.seditionart.com
Have you seen artists move from the open platform to the 'closed' side of the gallery?
Yes this happens frequently. The Curated section is not 'closed' but is invitation only. The invitations are managed by our Curatorial team, and we aim to launch at least one new artist (or new artworks from an existing artist) each week. We receive a large number of applications, including from artists already on the Open Platform, and often invite Open Platform artists to the Curated section.
Who are three up and coming digital artists we should keep an eye out for?
Can Buyukberber
Laura Splan
Anna Ridler