The Content Creator as Algorithmic Folk Artist
New essay out in Artnews
Hello,
I have a new essay out in ArtNews. It’s titled “The Internet Was the Beginning of a New Folk Artist. Artificial Intelligence May Be Its End.”
In the piece, I explore how the internet catalyzed a new wave of folk artistry by empowering everyday creators to share their work beyond traditional cultural boundaries. Specifically, what we call “content creation”, from the explainer videos to lyrical analysis to plot breakdowns, represents a new form of intangible folk art, akin to stories told by folk artists in pre-industrial times.
By folk artist, I mean “an individual creating art reflecting a particular culture, society, or community.”
I argue that this digital folk renaissance, characterized by memes, viral videos, and grassroots content, faces an existential threat from artificial intelligence, much like folk art faced a threat from the First Industrial Revolution. As AI increasingly automates creativity, it risks eroding the personal, idiosyncratic qualities that define folk art, raising urgent questions about the future of human-driven cultural expression and how it is presently captured by algorithms.
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As always, I hope you enjoy it, and very curious of your thoughts on the topic. Feel free to reach out with any comments, etc.