The Intersection of Art and Technology: Insights from the Kiaf Seoul Panel Discussion

New Media Art’s Today and Future kick starts the talk program, held on Thursday the 7th September at 1130am at Kiaf Seoul, in collaboration with Frieze x KAMS.

Moderator: Heo, Daechan (Editor in chief, AliceOn)

Panelists: Yung Ma (Senior Curator, Hayward Gallery) Domenico Quaranta (Professor, Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan) Lee, Ye Seung (Artist) ? ? ? ? ? ? STUDIO ARTECH (Artists)

It was a great honour to be invited to this program complete with leading figures from the art and technology worlds, converging to discuss the now progressive landscape of the art technology market. Key players at the event were Studio Art Tech (Digital art Art Tech Duo, Sungpil Kim known as Pilo and Munsok Park), alongside a roster of distinguished guests including Senior Curator Yung Ma from Hayward Gallery, Domenico Quaranta, Professor, Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan and the Artist Lee, Ye Seung.

The conversation was both enlightening and thought-provoking, offering deep insights into the evolving relationship between art and technology.

The panel discussion kicked off with a thought-provoking question: "How is technology reshaping the art world?" To answer this, Studio Art Tech CEO, Pilo, underscored the transformative impact of technology on the art ecosystem, emphasizing that technology was not merely a tool for artists but an integral medium in the creation and dissemination of art. This perspective set the tone for a captivating exploration of the art technology market, especially in recent years.

A recurring theme that surfaced throughout the discussions was the idea of making art more accessible to a broader audience.The panelists unanimously agreed that technology has played a pivotal role in making art more accessible to a global audience. Through digital platforms, virtual reality, and augmented reality, artworks can now be experienced by people worldwide, breaking down geographical barriers. This has opened up new possibilities for artists to gain exposure and for collectors to discover emerging talents.

The discussion also delved into the challenges posed by the digital realm. Studio Art Tech's Pilo touched on the issue of digital art authenticity and ownership, which has become a major concern. “Blockchain technology”, he posed, “has emerged as a promising solution, ensuring the provenance and uniqueness of digital art pieces. This innovation is likely to instil greater confidence in digital art collectors and investors.”

Guests at the panel highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in art creation. AI-generated art has sparked both excitement and controversy in recent years. Some see it as a groundbreaking evolution in art, while others fear it may devalue human creativity. Studio Art Tech invites us all to view their showcased AI-powered art and digital works, at several upcoming exhibition projects next month in Seoul (October 2023) emphasizing its collaborative potential, where artists can use AI as a creative tool rather than a replacement. This nuanced perspective provided a glimpse into the evolving relationship between artists and AI technology. The stuidio has recently hosted numerous large scale exhibitions not only in Seoul, recently their presentation of a large scale digital artwork was “Outernet” in London was completed and there is talk of the duo exhibiting works at the Digital Art Fair 2023 in Hong Kong.

The conversation also revolved around the role of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in immersive art experiences. Pilo Studio Art Tech has been at the forefront of this movement, collaborating with artists to create immersive digital installations that push the boundaries of traditional art forms. The consensus was that VR and AR have the potential to redefine the art gallery experience, making it more interactive and engaging.

However, one of the most pressing questions addressed was the sustainability of the art technology market. As technology evolves at a rapid pace, there is a growing concern about the environmental impact of digital art production and consumption. Studio Art Tech acknowledged this concern and pledged to adopt sustainable practices in their operations, signaling a growing awareness of the need for eco-consciousness in the industry.

In conclusion, the panel discussion at Kiaf Seoul brought to light the dynamic and transformative nature of the art technology market. Studio Art Tech, alongside other esteemed guests, showcased the potential of technology to democratize art, enhance creativity through AI, and create immersive art experiences.?

On Saturday 98th September Studio Art Tech will take over the Grey Box Space at Kiaf, a space that is physically positioned like a side project seemingly as metaphor to Art Tech and Digital Arts current place in the art world.? While challenges like authenticity and sustainability persist, the conversation left no doubt that the art technology market is on an exciting trajectory, and it will be fascinating to see how it continues to evolve in the coming years.