Why Physical Art Will Always Have Place

As we all know, this world is becoming increasingly digital. We are doing more and more of our daily tasks using apps and virtual assistants. The way we interact with the world is changing all the time, whether we like it or not.

One aspect of life that has changed is what we define as creativity. We now have people using AI to generate images and film scripts and even started the bizarre fad that is NFT art. But despite all of that, physical, tangible and touchable art doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Or at least, I hope not.

So why, despite the easy access and availability of digital art, do people still like to go to art shows, brick and mortar book stores and museums to experience art in a more physical practice? Well, in my opinion, the many answers to that question are quite simple. In this article, I will discuss just a few of the reasons people still find themselves attracted to physical artistry and I assume always will.

Decorating

While digital art can be appreciated on a screen, it cannot be hung or mounted on walls in someone's home or office. Sure, you can have a digital frame but good like placing them over several areas in those places. Secondly, the power has to be running to those frames in order for them to work. With physical pieces, electricity is not required. Power outages and utility prices can't hamper the availability of your art.

A Sense of Touch

Sure, not all art is meant to be touched. But some is. This is especially true of books. As a writer, I simply love the tactile feel of books. Sometimes, a brand new book even has a fresh smell to it. And again, you don't need electricity to use a book as long as you have some natural light or even some candles. These things simply cannot be replaced when you read a book on you mobile device or e-reader.

Dimensions

While the film industry and graphic enthusiasts have long played around with the concept of three dimensional imagery experienced via a computer screen, movie theater or television, it falls short of the real thing. Sure, screen-based three dimensional effects can be pretty cool. However, true 3D is only able to be experienced in the real world with physical, tangle items. Our human existence is 3D that really cannot be replicated any other way.

Accurate Color

Not all screen and monitors are created equal. Nor are the setting for color that each of them offers. This being the situation, often times a digital projection of a piece or art doesn't quite reflect what it really looks like in concrete form. A Van Gogh or Monet can look surprisingly different when viewing it on a screen as opposed to seeing one at a museum. You can miss a lot of the subtlety and nuance of a piece.

Community and Interaction

Last but not least of the many possible arguments for physical art I will address is the impact it can have on our communities and good old-fashioned human interaction. When you go to a museum or art shop, take an in-person painting class, meet up as a book club or go on a group photography walk through your town, you have the opportunity to connect with people in a more profound way. Chatting online and commenting on message boards just doesn't have the same feel or benefit for our human needs. You can go on a date to a museum or a poetry reading. You can't to that through likes and comments.

As far as I am concerned, technology may be able to replace many aspects of our lives but physical art is not one of them.