From IRL (in-real-life) to URL: Capturing the Art Biennial amid Covid-19

What is it about?

Covid-19 has brought the art world to its knees; Particularly, the contemporary art scene needs viewers and feedback to survive. Artists require new channels connecting them with their audiences, and the artwork needs to be seen and appreciated by the public to sustain its value. However, many international exhibitions are forced to postpone or cancel in the face of the unforeseen global pandemic with quarantine and social distancing restrictions. With less to no patronage, will Covid-19 bring the end of the art world? Focusing on the Shanghai Biennale 2020 and the Taipei Biennial 2020, this essay explores how these two events proceeded during the pervasive health crisis. With thorough research on curatorial strategies and digital representations, the author uncovers how the growing user-base of Chinese social apps complicates art events’ digital campaign game, and envisions a changing art world in the foreseeable post-Covid-19 future.

Featured Image

Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Post-Covid-19; Art and Technology; Exhibition Value; Global Arts; Visual Culture; Social Media; Digital Media and Mediation; Art Biennial.

Perspectives