Research on the Aesthetic Education in the Age of Social Media

Abstract

In the generation of social media, the rapid development of technology has inevitably transformed art, and the way it is consumed, shared, and created. Art has developed a greater focus on aesthetics and beauty, along with the desires of the viewer instead of the artists. The rise of different trends and styles may pressure artists to change their art to conform to these trends, and individuality will have to be sacrificed for the sake of views, likes, and validation from the users. Nonetheless, these platforms have proved to be a great tool for artists, allowing a direct reach to global audiences and engagement in interactive experiences. Communities created online may encourage growth, providing information and opportunities that may have been inaccessible to them previously, lowering the threshold of artistic creation and increasing accessibility. This may allow emerging or discriminated artists to present their work without any traditional barriers. Additionally, social media may stimulate the creative spirit of artists, allowing a variety of sources to draw inspiration from, and creating an environment that fosters experimentation and innovation. Unfortunately, social media is not without its drawbacks on its impact on art. A focus on popularity with likes, follows, and shares may cause a superficial exchange of art. Platforms may usually promote artworks that are easily consumable and visually appealing, disregarding any genuine artworks that may require a deeper reflection. This may additionally exacerbate the commercialization tendency in art, leading to a lack of originality in artworks.