Google has been making headlines in the art and design world with its technological developments recently. Prior to the release of Magenta, the artificial intelligence created to produce original art and music, Google also revealed their new Gigapixel ‘Art Camera’. This camera was created as part of the Google Cultural Institute initiative following the Google Art Project, which was launched in 2011.
The extremely high resolution camera can capture a piece of flat work from edge to edge in less than an hour, something which would take highly trained experts many hours to complete. The images captured by the Art Camera are in remarkable quality, unveiling incredible details that the human eye may not even be able to pick up.
The purpose of these cameras is to digitise collections of valuable artwork. They are then made available to view online in the Google Art Project art gallery, where they are gathering archives of the work on display in galleries and museums across the world. Just as the launch of the kindle sparked worry over the death of the book, and mp3’s caused concern over the future of live or physical music formats, conversations are happening amongst the art community as to whether or not this hyperreal documentation of art will result in people valuing a physical visit to an art gallery less.
As an online art gallery we at Art2Arts find this debate interesting. Just as bookshops are still in existence today, we believe that using digital archiving technologies in the world of art can exist for its own purpose rather than replacing the original, physical format.
By utilising digital technology, Google is allowing a much wider audience to have instant access to the wonders of many great works of art. The Google Art Project is free to browse, with hundreds of magnificent works readily available to anyone who desires to view them. Digital technology, and the internet is used as an enabler for easier entry into the world of art.
We too feel that by using the internet and digital technology, we are helping to democratise the art world by creating an accessible hub of artwork to browse and buy online. At Art2Arts we feel that anyone who wishes to own beautiful pieces of original art have every right to do so, and we welcome them to browse our online gallery to find their perfect piece.
Ultimately, the Google Art Camera, the Google Art Project and other project involving digitised artwork online are revolutionary in that they are breaking boundaries that hold the public back from having access to beautiful artwork. This work will never replace the want to hang art on walls or to get up close and personal with a painted piece, but will be an entry point to creating much wider art audiences.
Do you agree with us or do you think that the Google Art Camera is bad news for the art world? Get in touch
