As someone whose parents are involved in the art industry, I have experience with seeing how industrialization affects the arts. My parents both work in the bronze statue business and the increased accessibility of bronze statues due to the increased supply of bronze has made the bronze statue industry's market much more competitive. This has resulted in the decrease in the value of bronze art. The bronze industry is one of several examples of mass industrialization causing a deflation in the value of art. Art styles that used to be niche are now easily accessible causing an overflooding of their market. In this overflooding, as Walter Benjamin mentions, their is a loss of authenticity in favor or replicability.
But while industrialization has brought the destruction of many artistic ventures, it has also contributed to the invention of infinitely more. An excellent example of this is how the introduction of photo and video has forever changed the art world. It has transformed visual art from the paintbrush and canvas to the camera and frame.
Overall, I feel that industrialization has made art much more about its economic affordability over its meaning and value. I have seen first hand how the works of famous bronze artists like Frederic Remington have gone completely unnoticed and unappreciated except by those knowing the details of the industry. Industrialization has caused people to prefer cheaper art over treasured meaningful pieces with historic value. Art has become more an economic commodity over time than a purposeful endeavour to create a reflection of culture and society.
Andrews, Fred H. Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, vol. 97, no. 4800, 1949, pp. 708–710. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41364437. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.
“Horse Rearing Bronze Statue.” Wildlife Wonders, wildlifewonders.com/horse-rearing-bronze-statue/.
Hui, Yuk. “Objects of Art After Industrialization.” DOXA, 15 May 2012, www.doxacollective.org/2012/05/15/objects-of-art-after-industrialization/.
“Industrial Revolution.” Obelisk Art History, arthistoryproject.com/timeline/industrial-revolution/.
Johnson, K. Art and Artistic Reactions to the Industrial Revolution, historytradeart.blogspot.com/2010/05/art-and-artistic-reactions-to.html.
“Old Camera with Paintbrush in Color Stock Photo.” Adobe Stock, stock.adobe.com/images/old-camera-with-paintbrush-in-color/124063038?as_campaign=ftmigration2&as_channel=dpcft&as_campclass=brand&as_source=ft_web&as_camptype=acquisition&as_audience=users&as_content=closure_asset-detail-page.
Tuberman, Leon. “How Did the Industrial Revolution Impact the Arts and Crafts Movement?” Barn Furniture Blog, 30 Oct. 2017, www.barnfurnituremart.com/blog/how-did-the-industrial-revolution-impact-the-arts-and-crafts-movement/#:~:text=It%20also%20supported%20a%20design,and%20their%20utility%2C%20especially%20Modernism.
Walter, Benjamin. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. 1936.
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