Before attending a concert at Outernet London, I had the chance to explore The Now Building, an immersive hub for digital art within the Outernet district. Situated at the intersection of Tottenham Court Road and Charing Cross, the building boasts a giant public indoor atrium with 360-degree wraparound LED screens showcasing digital artworks from various artists.
During my visit, the featured exhibitions included ‘Faces of Womanhood’ by Take More Photos, presenting a touching photography exhibition portraying women from all around the world, ‘Ascension Déco’ by Seyhan Lee, an immersive display of vibrant and abstract forms, and lastly, ‘Journey Of The Afro Arawaks’ by Vince Fraser, which celebrated the African diaspora through a collection of images influenced by his Jamaican heritage.
Digital art has emerged as a powerful medium for creativity, challenging traditional notions of what art can be. However, we cannot disregard concerns surrounding unethical data sourcing, the authenticity and emotional depth of AI-generated art, and the devaluation of human artists. With that being said, as an advocate for sparking more interest and engagement in art, I do recognise that artificial intelligence and augmented reality have a role in igniting curiosity among new audiences.
With an average daily footfall of 223,000 people across the Outernet district, spaces like this hold tremendous potential. They offer fresh experiences that captivate diverse audiences, making art more accessible and opening doors for those who may not have had the chance to explore it to do so in new ways. These spaces can empower people to delve further into art, visit galleries and museums, and even create their own works.
Outernet Arts have recently announced their partnership with Serpentine Arts Technologies to present digital artwork by Brazilian artist Gabriel Massan. ‘Continuity Flaws: The Loophole’ will be presented at The Now Building from 30th July, and uses “digital sculpture-actors” to explore the uncertainty of living in the global present. Bettina Korea, CEO, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of Serpentine, said: “We’re delighted to collaborate with Outernet Arts to present Continuity Flaws: The Loophole. Massan’s project not only demonstrates an iterative process in terms of our relationship with the artist – supporting the development of concept, game, then exhibition – but also how work like this can exist and engage across fields, building new connections between artists and society.”
Art appreciation is a personal experience, and while I find traditional galleries and human-generated art unparalleled, easily accessible and immersive hubs like Outernet London may present an exciting alternative for others.
Exhibitions are free and timetables can be found on their website or app.
https://www.outernetglobal.com
Zeeta Badhan
Marketing, The Arts Society Victoria
No responses yet