It’s not just artists who are embracing the digital medium. Now, galleries, consultants and collectors are following suit.
It’s not just artists who are embracing the digital medium. Now, galleries, consultants and collectors are following suit.
ART-SAVVY APPS
Budding collectors can now get their collections underway with a plethora of new apps that not only help you gather a new collection, but tell you how much you should pay for it. The latest on the scene is ARTO, which works like Tinder for the art world. Launched by Singaporean entrepreneur Jonie Oostveen, this app gives you the chance to scroll through a gallery of art images and simply swipe left or right to indicate your preferences. The more you swipe, the better the app’s recommendations for other artworks you might be into. Once you’re in front of a piece and want to know what it’s worth, cue up Magnus. Often called “Shazam for art,” simply snap a photo of the artwork and the app’s image- recognition software pulls up its past prices, provenance, and the artist’s exhibition history— within seconds. Can’t make it to the vernissage? Preview upcoming local exhibitions and art fairs straight from your phone with ArtFriend. The app, which recently teamed up with Affordable Art Fair Singapore, enables you to star your favourite artworks, check prices, and start a chat with the gallery.
NEW MEDIA ARTISTS
Whether you have yet to be discovered or just want to raise your profile, nothing beats Instagram’s image-led platform for getting global recognition and tens of thousands of followers. Singaporean artist Clayrene Chan (@artclaytion), who blends cosmetics with watercolour and acrylic to create haute couture illustrations, has already attracted the interest of fashion brands and international press. Prominent street photographer Aik Beng Chia (@aikbengchia) has earned a strong following on Instagram with his compelling documentary-style images and cinemagraphs of Singapore street scenes, and even published them in a photo book. Photographer and graphic designer Ng Wei Jiang (@orhganic) takes full advantage of Instagram’s square grid layout to create surreal, whimsical black-and-white photo collages of multiple images on his account.
DIGITAL GALLERIES
If you want to tour a gallery on your lunch hour, you can now, thanks to galleries that are launching online. Singaporean sites like Eight Art Gallery(http://www.eightartgallery.com), Art Loft Asia (http://www.artloftasia.com) and The Artling (http://www.theartling.com) make buying art as easy as shopping for your next date-night dress. Eight Art Gallery showcases Swedish and Asian artists. Art Loft Asia and The Artling also showcase Asian artists, and include shopper-friendly features like arranging by colour, and seeing the artwork in situ. If you prefer trying things on before purchasing, Art Loft Asia even gives you the chance to rent the work for a few months. If it's more exclusive, sought-after artwork you seek, the former team behind Art Plural gallery has launched the online consultancy ArtandOnly (http://www.artandonly.com). This global platform allows you to arrange a private viewing at any one of its 10 secured warehouses located in major art hubs worldwide.
