Art in the Age of Instagram | Jia Jia Fei | TEDxMarthasVineyard

In this brilliant talk, Jia Jia Fei shares fascinating insights from her years at the forefront of the digital media revolution in art. She raises important questions about how the tools of our times are changing what art means to us and who can access it. This talk will leave you thinking about the impact of the social media on culture and the shape of things to come.
Jia Jia Fei is the Director of Digital, Jewish Museum and the former Associate Director, Digital Marketing at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, where she catalyzed the museum’s embrace of digital media through integrated social media, e-mail, web, mobile, and new media marketing initiatives to bring art to a broader public online. JiaJia received her BA in History of Art from Bryn Mawr College, and has lectured widely on social media and digital marketing at museum conferences and universities worldwide, including Museums & the Web, CultureGeek, College Art Association, Sotheby’s Art Institute, New York University, University of Oregon, Fundación Proa, and MIT Media Lab.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@DasKollektiv47]

I've noticed something very strange about people (no matter what age) taking pictures in museums. They often rush from art work to art work and take pictures of it. Instead of spending some time in front of an art work, looking at it, talking about it. The pictures they take are useless in comparison to that actual experience. Maybe they try to capture everything with these pictures, but when you go to a museum, you don't have to see everything. It is better to deal with a few art works more intensively--that's how they can have an impact.

[@taylorj6177]

I think it's because they're probably afraid someone's going to tell them to stop snapping photos. Or maybe that's just me.

[@monicagalo906]

Because their self worth is external. They need people to see where they went for it to have value, which is volatile because it’s delusional

[@ethanrichold5529]

@@monicagalo906 Don't play psychologist on KZbin.

[@brandonnashadka9458]

No phones aloud...

[@smithmarina970]

You're trying to get the most value for your money and time, especially since it's not likely you'll return, and even if you can collections are always changing. I would like to take my time more with each piece, but i also don't want to miss out on some cool pieces.

[@muelabruno66]

Defenition of ART=the expression of human creative skill and imagination. painters definition of ART= a painting.

[@TheCameraLuvsMe]

*In regards to her presentation style, which others found bland, I didn't mind the monotony since I wanted some background sound while at work* I've always felt that social media gets too harshly criticised at times. Sometimes you don't hear about a place until you see someone mention it online, the same way you'd find things out via word of mouth in person. And that is what gets us interested and motivated to seek those things out, as she spoke about. Some people believe the sharing mostly seeks to satisfy the sharers ego, and is, in essence, narcissistic, but it is still a form of self expression. It still says something about the person's personality if they choose to take selfies in a museum, because they could be taking selfies at a cemetery, or a restaurant, or on a hike. You get an idea of what they're into. And that's not a bad thing. Sharing to get likes and gratification I think is not that much different than sharing your day with someone in person. You were excited about an experience, so you talk about it, and you kind of expect the person to show some interest back than staring blandly into the distance right? Anyway as an artist myself I love that the internet has given me so much to see and appreciate so that I can improve and expand on my own art. Especially since I live on such a small and poor island. I wish I could take photos in our local gallery not because I don't appreciate the art, but because I DO. I want to be inspired by it in the way someone has a book or a framed picture in their house. It's not always just to share. I agree that museums should make their work more accessible online and promote it better. It won't be the same experience as seeing it in person. But you get to enjoy it, rather than to have never known its wonders at all.

[@lainajoygallerychicago9716]

I really enjoyed this talk, Instagram and online galleries are truly changing the way of how people are being exposed to art and how they perceive it in the long run

[@weirdlilfreak2000]

Frankly I find her message very real and interesting. It's a true look inside our culture.

[@peinhguin]

I'm a simple person. I see Van Gogh, I click.

[@MindinViolet]

Van Gogh is still better than anything I have seen on Instagram.

[@mikeharrington2793]

crassik

[@ngongongonga7537]

@@MindinViolet then u havent seen enough

[@ktoona117]

Under no circumstances can a digital word substitute the unique ambience brought by museums and art galleries. On the contrary, modern technologies add to our inquisitiveness to drink in the beauty of pictures which bear no resemblance to what is being posted on social websites. After all, art is predicated on feelings and emotions that we are to experience solely if we see masterpieces in the flesh rather than online

[@lisengel2498]

Very important message to open up access - thats the only way to broaden knowledge and interest

[@lewisallrightsreserved7879]

Museums are not the authority, just the former gatekeepers. The artists are the authority, the sovereign public is the authority. Anything that gets people into museums or books or other shows of artists is a good thing whether it be social media, Xeroxed flyers or electric skittles (the successor(s) to the digital media/internet). Like it or not, though not a replacement for museums, the social media are the museums of the 21st century for those who can't go to the museums as well as being no cost flyers.Though I do agree museums should be promoting both the artists and themselves more...

[@beanbag136]

Agreed, it was so funny that one of her main references was Van Gogh, who as we all know, was not considered successful during his lifetime. And as someone who lives in NYC and frequents MOMA and has stood in front of Starry Night-sans camera, I might add- it's hard to imagine that there was once a time when this work was not considered good. Call me crazy but I think museums show either what is famous, old, or popular and are not the authorities on pushing boundaries of art. They are there to sell tickets.

[@dr.davidgerstenaminoacidth2421]

I always loved Monet. When I was around 15 years old, I visited a museum in Cleveland that had gigantic paintings of his pond. Some of these were about 15 feet wide, floor to ceiling. To experience Monet in that way cannot be compared to a tiny square on Instagram. As a part-time photographer (since 5th grade), there came a point when I realized that it was important to put the camera down, and not just for art. I enjoy taking nature photographs, but long ago I realized that I was not directly experiencing nature. I was seeing nature through a camera lens. I’m not crazy about Picasso but I saw his painting Guernica in a San Francisco museum. This is a very large painting. In a museum, seeing the depth (and agony) in the real painting was unlike any experience of seeing that painting in a book. I do enjoy being able to look through an artist’s entire collection on line, so there is a balance, but we live in an age in which the painting is less important for many people than having their own face next to the great work of art. Are they experiencing the art or the potential dopamine hit ( not serotonin) of those hoped for likes, shares, and subscribe? That is addiction.

[@lilliecarmen1089]

social media helps museums because it promotes and explains deeper meanings.

[@biggieshorty]

OMG she confirmed so much for me in this. Great.

[@oscarzhao1034]

Omg watching this during school!

[@geokorf]

She is amazingly correct.

[@ryersonbrower2730]

Social Media helps museums because it helps promote the art that is presented

[@biggieshorty]

This is so Brilliant wow

[@DavidPuckArtist]

Y'all need to calm down with the speech critique. Not everyone has an animated speeking style. Just listen to what they're saying sheesh

[@ZenWaveCInema]

David Puck - Artist i liked it... calming, tolerable. Information v. Infotainment.

[@bullucsterteth7530]

@@ZenWaveCInema Vocal fry. Now an epidemic among young hip Americans.

[@ZenWaveCInema]

@@bullucsterteth7530 I have zero memory of making this comment. And yes... the vocal fry, a la KUWTK, is cringe.

[@13hehe]

Also have we considered English may not be her first language? Speaking multiple languages fluently is not easy

[@ginar4182]

Very interesting talk! Thank you!

[@cadaghenneryrose7893]

This is cool! I never thought of that.

[@iloveyellow7214]

Watching this, I am interested if Ted CAN AND ACTUALLY DO A VIDEO WITH BANKSY IN IT. Banksy is the only great example of this talk that I observe if you actually see his or her work in person just leaves you in awe Banksy with this kind of art criticism is so good if ever that happenned. Like the documentary exit through the gift shop.

[@scarpacalzino5238]

I think that what she says applies to really every aspect of life. To me, a shift is occurring, an inevitable one. The virtualisation of experience is simply disclosing our necessity to base our own lives upon the abstraction of the real moment rather than on its essence. To me, that's sort of dreadful.

[@Doug_Poppe]

This is a very interesting observation! do you have more to say or can you lead me to a source that says more about this?

[@jezelle7420]

yes, could you expand on this, please? I'd love to hear more.

[@jeanetejostcollet3111]

Great lecture! Congratulations!

[@MarkLawsonY3K]

Sincere Thanks for the upload. A good use of 14 minutes. My Point: I have seen all the images of Gaudi's Barcelona, Park, Palace, Apts, and homes. So the shock to go there and actually see the involutions on the tile ceilings in Guell Park, to actually sit on a tile bench far outweighs the pictures.... but I keep both, the memory and the images and realize the difference. Oldenberg at the Guggenheim was similar and almost any 2D landscape, like Okeefe's West Texas. The copies can only simulate. BUT if you Consider my comments in Twill#12 on Julia Noni's Steel house pictures where Sculptor Bruno comments that her pictures "ADD' to the art. Now that's something. Lawson di Ransom Canyon

[@OscarMares]

Is it me or does this video have this slightly blueish filter? Instagramish look? Either way, despite her lack of enthusiasm I think she has a very valid point of view. All this makes me question what kind of art would human kind be creating if the digital era were left aside or what would those great painters be doing in this time. Very interesiting video.

[@jamessutter6700]

Show & Tell... Systematically Digitized, Pixelated, and shared...

[@christyraeemfinger5740]

Not all of us can go experience it in person

[@DushevnaSepsa]

Bravo bre mala!

[@RomyIlano]

Cool!!!!

[@ShawNshawN]

It shows how out of touch museums are to the way the world works. Museums are merely staff overseeing the collections of rich people.

[@lifewitderrii1822]

iimik

[@wendyevans2905]

That's remarkably short sighted. You assume all museums are just paintings which are privately owned? Have you ever been to a museum outside of a Getty? Didn't think so.

[@inkedhigh]

last time I went to an art museum I wanted to take a photo but I was scared that I would be 'stealing'. i have went through the gallery reading about the art instead.

[@vaughandsouza5309]

But the topic is good n the content is also very good

[@lucasjweir4719]

does anyone know the photographer at 6:50. Im looking for an essay that im writing

[@masterjl7145]

I LOVE ZHENG ENG

[@zacharytan7100]

MasterJL ! Same

[@keane8939]

ok

[@Mongalingalong]

wtf

[@dampierre99]

I've been asked to draw a painting of that building in art class

[@relearn]

I'm curious as to how Covid and the inherent restrictions they impose on people going to a museum, or even traveling to where the museums are have impacted how Museums and Galleries operate.

[@brandoncooper2421]

Don't listen to anyone who tries to predict the future, fatalistic thinking is nearly always wrong. Only change is definite.

[@jelkebu]

Isn't it all just proving art is used to enforce an image of the individual as being "artys" or contemporary? The focus or motives to going to the exhibition, is not the actual artistic experience, but instead the aftermath of being able to enforce a self image to the world and oneself as being " artistic". It's a shame, as the focus on the artistic experience is lost. I feel as though she is taking a naiv and somewhat shallow perspective on instagramming art work, it's not about sharing the artsitic experience, rather enforcing ones self image.

[@StillStealSteel]

By enforcing one's self image aren't we expressing ourselves? I used to have a very negative perspective on social media like instagram, but now I don't after thinking about it long and hard. Self expression comes in many forms, whether through writing, painting, dancing, sports, or even Instagram. In today's digital age social media offers a totally new and easy way to express ourselves. Not everyone can paint, not everyone can draw, or dance, or sing, or play basketball, but just about everyone has a cellphone and knows how to use the camera and post a photo. Instagram has in many ways democratized art and self expression. I truly believe that within each of us is a desire to express ourselves creatively. Social media is now a fast and easy way to do so, and everyone should be happy that we have a new medium to do so.

[@jelkebu]

Talen Q When experiencing or engaging with a piece of art, I think a phone or pictures would too " impede the experience". And alter the artistic experience, and will change the environment of the exhibition and probably morph the original artists work. Is it the self expression worth it then? Self expression in the form of photographing of someone's else's art work? Not sure if that's individual self expression, but rather desire to belong in a social media community. It makes me question the motives to going to the art museum, why must the whole world know? Why can't we be satisfied knowing we were the only the spectator of our own experience, and not have to prove it anyone else? If anything it reflects insecurity.

[@heinthusoe3474]

@@jelkebu but I dont think arts is always about self-impression but rather the interpretation and not just of the artists but also for the viewers and how the viewer interprets through any medium they see. but still if a photo is represented in a different way, I accept that altering it might deviate what I said

[@davejohn3600]

It may sound silly but I couldn't help but think of a Buffy the Vampire slayer eps. with this. These vampires were preying on college students and had a competition going with the cliché posters of classic works of art the students they killed had on their walls. I'm hardly an expert on art but I would think you can never replace seeing a piece in person. The size, the texture, the reality of it just can't be copied. Even photography, the artist developed that print to their desired look. If you google famous photographs you'll see in your search that they all look a little different. Darker, lighter, grainer, etc.

[@hysanify]

I was mesmerized by her Val Gal cadence. Ending every sentence, almost every phrase, with a down tone. What does that say about what you really think, I wonder?

[@pedrogonzales9202]

hysanify Is that what that is? Is that what it is called? I’m old school and this way of speaking ALWAYS reminds me of adolescence. It’s so hard to hear what she is saying with that vocal raspy trail off. And she is trying to say something. I think it’s actually the first time I’ve ever heard anyone speak this way who actually seems somewhat intelligent. How and why was this way of speaking invented?

[@chumleyk]

What a drone.

[@Whysosadams]

They should have made a 360 vs video to advertise it.

[@inkedhigh]

even though it's not a enthusiastic speech, she can still put in emotion into it. also she takes long to get to the point of what she is talking about. I don't know what the point this is about. first it sounds like we shouldn't be posting photos of art and that we shouldn't use our phones in museums and then she says 'instagram can help people to learn about art'

[@beanbag136]

I am not opposed to her notion of museums promoting their exhibits via social media, but if these photos exist as marketing online I think that musuems should then take a stronger stance on not letting people take photos/selfies with them. Let the professional photographers photograph the works to entice people to experience art for themselves, and then set up a structure so that they can actually EXPERIENCE it ,not pose with it. But I guess, that would take away a lot of people's 'look how cool I am with this artwork' Instagram pics

[@elrafaga]

This works today in the same work that any prohibition of enjoyment does. if you haven't been to the sistine chapel yet, ask anybody who has. Strictly prohibited taking pictures, and all you experience when you are in there is a half dozen Roman loudly guards screaming "no photo, no photo". It's very disturbing. People will take their selfies and pictures anywhere they want, and what would the problem be... really?

[@lilliecarmen1089]

social media (instagram) leaves a positive impact on art because it gets smaller artists discovered

[@carbacity1503]

Art needs to be shared. Saying you need to be their to enjoy it could be true as your opinion. The fear is that one day you could have the access to a galery in your pocket. The art in a museum is important because it is their. A man could see art that once they couldn't unless they had money to travel to europe. Social media lets the people have the opinions like "some abstract art really shouldn't cost that much". So yeah let theim take pictures and no one should be the the gatekeeper or authority on art. At the end of the day this is just my opinion aswell.

[@d1i9n2a2]

But why does a museum need to be the ONLY authority, maybe it's a good thing that the people are taking over. Historically, art used to be owned only by the wealthy and the masses didn't have access to it at all, then museums came in and made it more accessible, which is brilliant, a step in the right direction, however, we now have the means to allow the people to decide which art is worthy of being showcased (which can be both good and bad, I admit) but it allows a dialogue where we can call BS when we see BS in stead of just accepting whatever museums shove in our face. I think social media has a lot of negatives but the opportunity for 2 way. dialogue is a positive that we shouldn't try to suppress.

[@LukasKlein]

The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

[@irrevenant3]

Yes, she cited that in her talk...

[@jashoo8597]

What will van gogh do if he is a living artist now? He may not take selfie, but he will likely have an online portfolio, LinkedIn profile, etc. In terms of medium of his art, can anyone guarantee that he won't turn to digital art? Point is, art/artist evolves with time/tools/technology. Have museums evolved?

[@bumsmanifesto123]

Walter Benjamin basically covered this topic in 1936 in his work The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.

[@irrevenant3]

Yes, she mentioned that text in her talk.

[@jasonng5194]

gang gang

[@eclecticlight.design]

She knew NFT was coming

[@kittyroxus]

haha "we must reclaim our authority" (as the elite "gate-keepers" to the art world) An she sounds like every fine art lecture i heard at university. ..."we cannot actually speak passionately or people won't take us seriously"- an wr NEED to be taken seriously.......0.0

[@promitkar1528]

John Berger says differently.

[@arijitbhattacharyya9537]

He is a dead meat!

[@icon5518]

Now we talking about nfts

[@ningruiliu1275]

Jiajia Fei indicates that the museum fears to the reproduction of online image resources, which none of those resources are coming from the authority institutions or have copyrights. The freedom of remaking and reproducing images by unknown individuals is dissolving and collapsing the authority of the museum.

[@07torresa]

Reminds me. One time a friend and I spotted a beautiful mural. And he just insisted that I stand in front of it and pose or something so he take a picture of me... “it’ll look cool dude.” needless to say I didn’t. I feel that would be taking away the meaning and message and the overall beauty of the piece. But in this age, being cool is more important.

[@ezzermaya4082]

Can everyone in the comments section please stop getting upset about the way Jia Jia Fei presents her ideas. she literally pioneered the digital marketing position at the jewish museum i think she knows what she's talking about in terms of digital art distribution lmao. there are plenty of other ted talkers who present in this style and it makes sense for her to only briefly mention all 30 dense pages of benjamin's work in a talk that's meant to be accessible to the general public. thanks B)

[@ShawNshawN]

Her bland tone is also an issue to explaining how art is and could be. Since we are seeing this digitally, shouldn't she work to make the presentation interesting? I felt I learned nothing and that's unusual for TedX

[@mitutoyo34]

SAD.only extremely wealthy people or dead people get to show their" so called "art"

[@montourigirl]

The art world will always be gray

[@yesyesyesno4051]

this... this hit me hard.

[@matthewschroeder6403]

I'm watching this for an art history class and I'm worried. I'm worried that the instructor suggested this video and worried that this person is an expert on art history. Between all the data presented and her monotone voice I'm not sure she cares at all about art.

[@jacobclayson2372]

I am watching this for art history to haha.

[@iDYPilms]

Illegal Taking of pictures of art and loading them in social media..... thats interesting. How to police that? The art world needs to really police it with steep punish meant for offenders..... SUCKS!

[@artconsciousness]

Sharing a digital reproduction of an original artwork, or installation, may increase its value in some form but I have issues with that. One, what kind of value are we talking about here and in which market? Firstly, by tearing up a piece of art into millions of pieces you in effect dilute it. Secondly you are making the art fit the agenda of the social media industry which is a selfie based ego environment thus reducing the art to a fleeting circus value experience rather than the deeper experience the artist intended- which is insulting and disrespecting the artist. The problem is not the art it is the people seeing it and society for not having a good enough education system to teach what art is and why we have it.. Just because a trend creates a mass response, like the selfie phenomenon, does not make the phenomenon right. The selfie culture is not healthy so all you do is drag art into the unhealthy system for the sake of popularity and money. Great art has always reflected or predicted society, it has never been about trying to become part of it. Finally, by allowing people to upload images onto social media you also create the environment in with those who se the tiny digital version on their phones then believe they have now "seen it" and thus reduces the urge to see the original. Documentaries of a work of art shown on the internet or TV make people want to go and physically see the original but not a cheap version taken by someone with their mobile phone. I suggest people should not be allowed to take their phones int the gallery in the first place and force them to take in the experience at a deeper level. When you are focuses on taking a photo you are only having half an experience. Like when people went to concerts before the mobile phone was invented, people were totally immersed in the concert experience, and it remained in them all their lives as a potent memory. Today however, people are so focussed on filming it that they only half experience the concert and thus their memory of the experience is not as memorable. If art, and particularly art galleries, allow the dilution of the art experience to continue then they will have be part of the reduction of it power and meaning in mankind. Genuine artists will find some way of getting out of that toxic environment and produce meaningful art outside of the system. The art market will continue but it will not be as powerful or meaningful as art produced outside of it. But what will be will be I guess. Money and likes dominate society at this current time in human history but it will not dominate me. I refuse to be a blade of grass being blown around by any random breeze. Excellent presentation.

[@senglomein5766]

Did she really just compare "foodporn" to Cezanne painting fruit??? Im just sad now.

[@n43vis]

buy jiafei products

[@FuriousGibbon]

People can enjoy art however they like. The creator or owner of any given work has no authority to tell people how they can and cannot enjoy it, even if they feel like they do.

[@invierna44]

describing Benjamin’s “withering aura” as “fear”confirms the speaker never read Benjamin…

[@danielvarghese1185]

Lmao

[@effe4901]

The only enthusiasm I saw was at the end when she said "thank you" smiling happily like she spent 13 minutes waiting to go home to finally eat a sandwich. Anyway, I liked the message she wants to spread👌

[@FuriousGibbon]

Every work of art I've ever seen (including the bad ones) is better in real life than it is in some reproduction. How did some try-hard egomaniac come to the conclusion that this phenomenon was somehow unique to him?

[@jeremygusi9949]

boooorrinngggg

[@Jackiemoonlifts]

I got bored

[@dneokleous]

boring!

[@luke2851]

just bad ngl

[@babyirene3188]

Good lord There’s just no way all the ted talks art dweebs don’t actually hate art There’s no other lucid explanation for all the dreary Mumbo jumbo So sad.

[@arielestevan5336]

what is the big deal about this ugly place ,no grace no art at all ,is just a created market...

[@chickennugget6233]

I feel like all of the great information she has to present is totally lost with her poor presentation skills. As far as constructive criticism goes, I feel like they didn't practice or study enough on how to give an effective presentation. It was very difficult to listen to. As someone mentioned, without listening to the info, it sounds identical to a highschool presentation. You have to have a good avenue to present good information or else it will be lost on most ears. I can imagine this was all really intimidating. Perhaps it was their first serious one and it fell apart. I imagine it took a lot of balls to get up there and present. They've got a lot of room for improvement which is a great problem to have.

[@vlad-igor]

The way she speaks she uses up talk and vocal fry. It's hard to listen to the way she talks.

[@pedrogonzales9202]

Vlad Igor What a turn off!!!!!!! Im needing to throw up now, excuse me.

[@somatfromnowt]

It´s an irritating affectation, which is becoming endemic among young, successful women. Just replay the part when she finishes the sentence with "...on a global scale." It´s a combination of fashion and a lack of confidence.

[@BGomez-tk7lu]

I don't think making a sketch of a piece of art contributes to the substraction of its aura. Sketching is an act of creation per se, its not a mere reproduction

[@anthonylemkendorf3114]

Museums don’t have the authority to give or take anything. Museums house Art , and I will decide how relevant their role is . I take photos that are almost always better( for my purposes )than those provided in catalogs .I don’t need a museum twit telling me what to think.

[@somatfromnowt]

Please, please, please, drop the "vocal fry" croaking at the end of every phrase eg "on a global scale". It´s really really really irritating and ubiquitous among hip young American women.

[@mortal2815]

She's lacking any sort of enthusiasm for her own topic. It's like watching a high-schooler give a presentation.

[@effe4901]

agree

[@carlasaal]

Not everything has to be a funny show

[@RadenWA]

People with knowledge isn't always the most emotionally expressive, just like how the most talkative person is usually without actual knowledge.

[@thisperson3787]

Lol, then you’ve never seen a speech tournament.

[@vibing6530]

She doesn't need to

[@lackynguyen8351]

Oh god , this lip smacking is horrible!

[@jorgetay8492]

Uh oh stinky

[@mihirbidkar8563]

Poo

[@jorgetay8492]

@@mihirbidkar8563 ahhahahaa, poopy, funny poop, poop funny

[@zacharytan7100]

Jorge Tay yes

[@jorgetay8492]

@@zacharytan7100 subscribe to me

[@mihirbidkar8563]

Jorge Tay uh oh I think I just made a poopy