The Impact of Digital vs. In-Person Art Viewing
Reevaluating Art Appreciation: Digital vs. Real
Many art enthusiasts believe that engaging with art in person provides a richer aesthetic experience than viewing it on a screen. This belief, rooted in decades of subjective interpretations, may not hold as firmly in today’s digital landscape, where high-resolution images are readily available.
Measuring Aesthetic Experiences
To investigate the differences between physical and digital art viewing, researchers sought to measure the emotional and cognitive effects of both experiences. By creating a detailed vocabulary taxonomy, the study aimed to capture the nuances of how art influences viewers. This taxonomy includes 69 terms and focuses on 11 dimensions of aesthetic response, such as pleasure, inspiration, and calmness, which can be grouped into four broader categories: positive influence, negative influence, interest/immersion, and transformational potential.
Study Overview
The research was conducted in two prominent art institutions in Philadelphia: the Burns Foundation and the Penn Archaeology and Anthropology Museum. Participants viewed eight paintings and eight artifacts, recording their influences and preferences regarding beauty and understanding. Another group viewed the same artworks in a computer lab setting.
Findings
The results revealed a key finding: there were no significant differences in aesthetic preferences or beauty judgments between in-person and digital viewers. Both groups reported similar experiences and insights from the artworks. However, participants noted that viewing art in a museum setting provided a greater sense of understanding compared to the lab environment.
Insights into Viewers’ Experiences
The lack of detectable differences between viewing contexts prompted researchers to explore other factors that could influence experience. The study found that individuals with more extensive art exposure described their experiences as more beautiful and influential. Notably, younger individuals tended to feel enlightened and inspired, while older viewers often reported feelings of being challenged or enlightened.
Emerging Questions
The study raised several questions regarding the art viewing preferences of younger generations. Are they less swayed by traditional cultural norms? With the rise of digital spaces, do they view in-person experiences as less essential? Furthermore, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have altered perceptions of physical attendance in venues such as museums.
Conclusion
This research highlights a critical insight: the deeply ingrained assumptions about the superiority of in-person art experiences may not align with empirical evidence. As art continues to evolve in the digital age, understanding these dynamics will be essential for museums and galleries aiming to engage future audiences. As the study suggests, personal experiences and preferences play a pivotal role in how we appreciate art.
Acknowledgements: This research was supported by the Templeton Religion Trust.