We can argue that using social media is a case of mass production, a phenomenon that our previous readings warn us against. However, I believe that true meaning of art is to touch as many lives as possible, regardless of the medium. These artists who spread their work through social media is riding the wave that it brings. Flowing against this wave is hopeless because there is no stopping it — social media has taken over our lives. Attention is a commodity and the best way we could redirect their attention away is by using the platform itself. We can say that it is hypocritical to tell a person to go outside and enjoy nature when the post came from a person who is also in front of a computer. But what other alternatives can we use to convey this message with the same efficiency?
Using social media as an art platform gives new and upcoming artists to showcase their work with little to no funding. Tumblr, for example, has millions of visitors who are young adults. Exposing them to quality art in a fast and affordable way through ‘likes’ and ‘reblogs’ is beneficial for both parties.If the artist properly credited, they get to share their work of art to the masses. Secondly, the consumer is fed with an information that could possibly inspire or unleash different thoughts and feelings. Not only that, but the consumer gets a chance to become the artist, “The Jogging’s Tumblr is used to showcase images drawn from regular participants as well as from open submission.”
I visited the New Aesthetic Tumblr blog and I realized that it is basically an aggregator. It is not just composed of digital art, but rather, a mixture of articles, screenshots and many more. However, they were chosen with a purpose, I would argue that each ‘art’ has an aesthetic to it. Older generations may not appreciate it, but millennials and most of Tumblr’s user base might find beauty in it because they were exposed to this kind of technology and information for most of their life. I think these types of art is powerful because it does not blatantly try to be edgy, it brings different sides to the table and let the users decide for themselves.