Post-internet art

Definition

Post-internet art refers to a genre of art that reflects the impact of the internet on culture and society, emerging after the widespread adoption of the web in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This art form often incorporates digital media, explores themes of technology, identity, and social interaction, and critiques how the internet influences our perception of reality. Artists working in this style engage with both online and offline spaces, emphasizing the fluidity between virtual and physical experiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-internet art emerged as a response to the saturation of digital imagery and content created by the internet, reflecting both the possibilities and limitations of online spaces.
2. Many post-internet artists use traditional mediums alongside digital tools to create hybrid works that challenge distinctions between online and offline environments.
3. This art movement often comments on themes like surveillance, data privacy, consumerism, and the commodification of identity in the digital age.
4. Post-internet art is characterized by its accessibility; many works are shared through social media platforms, allowing for broader engagement with diverse audiences.
5. Artists associated with post-internet art often employ irony and humor to critique internet culture while also celebrating its creativity and interconnectedness.

Review Questions

• How does post-internet art challenge traditional boundaries between digital and physical spaces?
  • Post-internet art blurs the lines between digital and physical realms by integrating both online and offline elements into its creations. Artists often utilize traditional mediums while incorporating digital aspects like video or interactive components. This merging challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of reality, as they navigate experiences that exist in both virtual spaces and the physical world.
• Discuss the significance of themes such as surveillance and consumerism in post-internet art. How do these themes reflect contemporary society?
  • Surveillance and consumerism are central themes in post-internet art that reflect contemporary society's relationship with technology. Many artworks critique the pervasive nature of surveillance enabled by the internet and how it shapes personal privacy and social behavior. Additionally, these artists explore consumerism by highlighting how identities are constructed through online presence and digital interactions, encouraging viewers to question their roles as both consumers and creators in a hyper-digitalized world.
• Evaluate how post-internet art can influence feminist perspectives within contemporary art practices.
  • Post-internet art can significantly influence feminist perspectives by addressing issues related to identity formation, representation, and gender dynamics in a digital context. This genre provides a platform for feminist artists to engage with online culture while challenging stereotypes and narratives surrounding femininity in both physical and virtual spaces. By critiquing how women are portrayed in digital media, post-internet art fosters a dialogue on empowerment, agency, and self-representation, ultimately enriching feminist discourse within contemporary art.

Related terms

Digital Art: Art created or presented using digital technology, including forms like digital painting, video art, and interactive installations.

New Media Art: A genre of art that utilizes new technologies as a medium, focusing on interactivity, technology, and the exploration of contemporary issues.

Internet Culture: The social and cultural phenomena that emerge from the use of the internet, influencing communication, relationships, and self-representation.