Media art, which frequently involves data, software, or electronic devices, keeps facing the challenge of technological obsolescence. Since preservation and conservation are fields often dominated by museums and similar organizations, a contrast exists between personal and institutional practices. In some cases, artists rely on museums for technological support. This article looks at new media artists’ firsthand experiences and media artworks donated to the MoMA.
An Investigation Into New Media Artists' Personal Preservation Practices
Relying on electronic devices and digital files, new media artworks are sensitive to technology’s constant upgrades and possible obsolescence. A single dysfunctional file may lead to the permanent loss of an artwork’s content. Aware of such vulnerabilities and urged by their duty to care for objects for future generations, museums have established various initiatives for collecting and preserving media art and have also started encouraging artists to adopt preservation practices themselves. Given all the different approaches, this article investigates major strategies and tactics adopted by artists who advocate for new media art preservation as part of artistic practices.
Preserving AI-Powered Art as Time-Based Media and Computer-Based Art
As innovation with using artificial intelligence in art making continues, museums’ conservation practices must also evolve. Continuing my research on AI art preservation, this article will narrow down the subjects to AI-powered art since it deviates further from what traditional conservation practices apply to. Unlike static digital artworks printed on canvas, AI-powered art always has temporal attributes, presents constant variation through an algorithm, and relies on digital files and equipment that runs continually. Although current studies have not focused on AI-powered art, it is worthwhile to see how ideas and practices of digital art preservation—such as those at the Guggenheim—are transforming in ways that could help preserve AI art in the future. Since manufacturers' innovation will quickly outdate museums’ technology supporting such art and it will be hard to tell when the doomed obsoletion will happen, being proactive is essential.
AI-assisted and AI-powered Art: Different Challenges for Digital Preservation
Artists are among the many professions that are embracing artificial intelligence. AI is beginning to undertake tedious repetitive work, without replacing human’s creativity. Recently, the art market has displayed an interest in purchasing AI art. Christies sold Edmond de Belamy, an algorithm-generated painting, and Sotheby’s sold Memories of Passersby I, an AI video installation, at $432,500 and $51,012, respectively. With a rapidly increasing variety of AI art being created and transacted, the need to preserve such art in differentiated ways is emerging.