The image is an AI-generated image.
Part 3: Digital printing and the new phase of contemporary art
With the spread of computers in the second half of the 20th century, printing underwent another major change. In particular, giclee printing (a high-definition inkjet method that uses finely sprayed pigment ink; sometimes used in a broad sense as a general term for high-quality inkjet printing) can precisely reproduce the brushstrokes and subtle hues of the original, achieving archival quality (enough to withstand long-term storage). Museums and galleries used it to reproduce and preserve works in their collections, and masterpieces became widely available for education and in homes.
The strengths of digital printing are print-on-demand (a system that prints only the amount needed) and consistent quality. This reduces the risk of holding inventory, allowing artists and brands to deliver their works to the market more flexibly. Furthermore, advances in color management (technology that accurately matches colors between different devices) have made it possible to design the finished product by selecting paper quality and whiteness. This has led to a rapid spread of the culture of enjoying art as interior décor, and the experience of purchasing art online and displaying it in one's home has become commonplace.
At the same time, digital archives (the recording and public display of artworks in high resolution) have also progressed. Cultural assets and murals that are difficult to exhibit locally can now be accessed from around the world through archives, making it possible to both preserve and display them.
On the other hand, the more accurate the reproduction, the stronger the question of "what is an original?" This is where NFTs (a system that proves the uniqueness of data on the blockchain) and edition management (a method of determining a limited number of copies and guaranteeing it with a signature or number) come in. Efforts to ensure uniqueness while still retaining the digital spread are spreading, presenting a new value system for art.
In other words, modern printing simultaneously democratizes art (making it accessible to everyone) and privileges it (emphasizing its scarcity). While anyone can own a high-quality reproduction, limited edition prints and NFTs reinvigorate the notion of "uniqueness." We can move freely between reproductions and originals, enjoying ever more diverse art experiences.
The spread of religious paintings in the Middle Ages, the expansion of printmaking in the modern era, and digital redesign today. Printing technology has evolved alongside art, constantly updating people's experiences of "seeing, owning, and sharing." With the emergence of new technologies, the nature of art will continue to change.
Part 1 is here
Part 2 is here
