10.1 Social media and online documentation

Social media has revolutionized street art, expanding its reach and impact. Artists can now share their work globally, while viewers discover and appreciate art from afar. This digital shift has democratized art appreciation and shaped public perception.

Online documentation preserves ephemeral street art, creating digital archives and virtual exhibitions. However, it raises ethical concerns about copyright, attribution, and potential misuse. The digital age has transformed how we experience, share, and discuss street art.

Impact and Documentation of Street Art and Graffiti in the Digital Age

Impact of social media on street art

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Top images from around the web for Impact of social media on street art

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  Effects of Social Media on Social Movements – Youth Voices View original

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  Vandalog – A Viral Art and Street Art Blog View original

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  Vandalog – A Viral Art and Street Art Blog » An introduction to Toronto’s street art and graffiti View original

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  Effects of Social Media on Social Movements – Youth Voices View original

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• Increases visibility and reach of street art by allowing artists to share their work with a global audience through platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)
• Enables users to discover street art from specific locations or themes using hashtags and geotags (#streetart, #graffitiart, #murals)
• Amplifies exposure of exceptional or controversial pieces that gain traction and go viral through sharing and reposting by users
• Makes street art more accessible to the general public, even those who may not encounter it in person, democratizing art appreciation
• Shapes public perception and discourse through positive reception leading to increased acceptance and appreciation, or negative reactions and controversies

Online documentation of ephemeral art

• Serves as a digital record capturing the transient nature of street art at a specific point in time, as it is often temporary and subject to weathering, removal, or alteration
• Creates a historical archive through websites and online databases dedicated to cataloging street art (Google Arts & Culture, Street Art Cities)
• Provides access to street art for those unable to visit physical sites by enabling virtual tours and exhibitions curated by online platforms
• Faces challenges in documentation such as issues with image quality, context, and metadata, as well as potential for misrepresentation or misinterpretation of artwork

Ethics of sharing street art online

• Raises concerns about copyright and intellectual property, as street artists may assert rights over their work even in public spaces, and unauthorized use or reproduction online may infringe on those rights
• Emphasizes the importance of properly attributing street art images to the artist when shared online, despite challenges in identifying artists for unsigned or anonymous works
• Poses risks of commercialization and exploitation, with street art images potentially being used for commercial purposes without the artist's consent or misappropriated by third parties
• Requires consideration of the artist's intended context and message when sharing images online to avoid misinterpretation or misuse that disrespects the artist's intent

Social media in global art communities

• Enables street artists to connect and interact with each other worldwide, facilitating the exchange of ideas, techniques, and inspiration across borders
• Promotes and coordinates street art events and festivals, allowing for the participation of artists and attendees from different countries (Meeting of Styles, Pow! Wow! Worldwide)
• Facilitates planning and execution of collaborative projects remotely, enabling the creation of international street art initiatives and campaigns
• Fosters a sense of belonging and shared identity among street artists, providing a platform to support, encourage, and learn from each other