Introduction
Digital art is the future of artistic expression, and at the British Art Fair 2024, it took center stage with Pivotal Digitalism, an exhibition curated by Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou. Rebekah, herself a digital artist and filmmaker, is the visionary behind this historic moment. The journey began in 2021 during an artist residency in Scotland, where she met Will Ramsay, the owner of the British Art Fair. What started as a conversation about his art collection grew into a proposal for an exhibition that would redefine the future of the fair.
As a new media artist and technologist, exhibiting at the British Art Fair 2024 at Saatchi Gallery, was a significant moment in my career. Kei London presented my work at “Pivotal Digitalism” – A digital art movement. Rebekah’s goal was to create a space that would celebrate digital art within the context of art history. As she explained, we’re living 150 years after the first Impressionist show (1874 in Paris), which shocked the art world, and 100 years after the birth of Surrealism (1924 with André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto)—both avant-garde movements that changed art forever. Now, she believes, it’s time for digital art to claim its place alongside these pivotal moments.
Through her vision, Rebekah brought together a group of incredible artists from all disciplines, myself included, to showcase the boundless possibilities of digital mediums. Whether you’re an art collector, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of art and technology, this year’s British Art Fair was the place to experience the future of creativity. Let’s explore how digital art is transforming the art world and why Pivotal Digitalism is a defining moment for British art.
Everything’s on Fire but it’s Fine by KEZIAI
The Evolution of Digital Art
When people think of art, they often think of traditional mediums—painting, sculpture, maybe even installation art. But digital art is rapidly gaining momentum globally, and, this year’s British Art Fair was a reflection of that. It’s a significant step forward for digital artists like myself.
The UK art scene, although deeply rooted in its history, has always been a place of innovation, and digital art is no exception. This year’s fair proved that it’s not just the future—it’s very much the present. The rise of digital technology has paved the way for AI art, VR, AR, and of course, NFTs, all of which are now central to the art market and were well represented at the Museum.
Digital Artists to Watch at the British Art Fair 2024
One of the most exciting aspects of the Pivotal Digitalism section was the incredible roster of artists. Rebekah brought together a diverse group of creators, each pushing the limits of what digital art can be. I had the honor of being one of the featured artists represented by Kei London Visual Art Agency, and my piece “Choice“ was exhibited alongside other digital artworks.
In “Choice”, I explore the intersection of digital environments and human behavior. It’s an interactive sculpture that uses sensors to measure how the viewers interact with it, shifting perspectives while it processes these data in in real-time, which for me symbolizes the infinite decisions we make in our digital and physical worlds. This interactive aspect was an important part of the digital installations at the fair—art that goes beyond passive viewing, requiring the audience to engage actively with the work.
Other standout artists included those working with AI-generated art, and projection mapping, creating pieces that challenge the idea of authorship, identity and more. VR art was another highlight, with artists crafting fully immersive environments that allowed visitors to experience art in a way that’s impossible with traditional media.
Pink Dissolution by Lucinda Dilworth
Cutting-Edge Digital Art Technologies on Display
What made the digital art at the British Art Fair so exhilarating wasn’t just the art itself but also the technology behind it. Artists like myself are using a range of tools—virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, and more—to create art that wasn’t possible even a few years ago.
For example, AR technology allowed some artists to merge physical and digital worlds seamlessly. Viewers could scan their enviroment with their phones to reveal hidden layers of information or additional 3D elements. It’s a new way of storytelling that brings the viewer deeper into the narrative of the work.
This was also the first time the British Art Fair employed VR platforms like Pivotal Digitalism, allowing people from around the world to virtually explore the digital artworks. This kind of global accessibility is something we, as digital artists, are particularly excited about because it allows our work to reach an audience far beyond the gallery walls.
Ghosts of the Present by Shahwali Shayan
How Digital Art is Transforming the British Art Market
The presence of digital art at such a prestigious event with over 12,000 visitors, speaks volumes about the direction of the British art market. For a long time, digital art wasn’t taken seriously by traditional collectors or galleries. But that’s changing, and fast.
Collectors are starting to see the value in digital art, especially as it becomes more interactive and immersive. NFTs have played a significant role in this shift, giving collectors the security of owning something unique, even if it’s digital. At this year’s fair, collectors were not just buying digital pieces—they were buying into the future of art.
Many visitors, who may have never considered themselves tech-savvy, were visibly intrigued by the possibilities digital art offered. And this interest translated into sales, proving that digital art is no longer just for niche audiences—it’s for everyone.
Interactive Digital Installations at the British Art Fair
One of the most exciting aspects of digital art is its ability to be interactive. Unlike traditional art, which is typically static, digital installations often invite the viewer to engage with the piece on a deeper level. This year’s British Art Fair was filled with interactive installations, from pieces that respond to touch or heat to full-scale digital platforms like mine.
One installation that stood out to me was an AR experience where viewers used an Apple Vision headset to reveal how heat moves when they touch the sculpture. This type of art redefines the boundaries between the artist and the viewer, making the audience an integral part of the creative process.
The interactive nature of digital art opens up endless possibilities, and it’s something I’m personally exploring through my research on human behavior and technology. I find it fascinating to use real-time human behavior data to create generative artworks or drive three-dimensional visuals.
The Integration of Technology in Digital Art Creation
We can’t talk about digital art in 2024 without exploring the technologies that are shaping the medium. While many focus on the financial side of digital art, such as sales and markets, the true magic of this evolution lies in the tools and technology that are now available to artists. As a new media artist and technologist, I’ve seen firsthand how these advancements are opening up creative possibilities that were once unimaginable.
At the British Art Fair, the Pivotal Digitalism section emphasized the seamless integration of digital tools like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and cutting-edge interactive installations. These technologies enable artists to create immersive experiences where the audience doesn’t just observe art—they participate in it. The future of art is deeply intertwined with technology.
For me, the intersection of digital environments and human interaction is where my passion lies. My work exhibited at the fair, “Choice”, explored how viewers could shift perspectives in real-time, a reflection of the constant decisions we make in our increasingly digital world. This interactivity highlights how digital art is an evolving conversation between the artist, the viewer, and the medium.
The thriving UK digital art scene is embracing this integration of technology, and it’s exciting to see how artists are pushing boundaries. As tools like AI and 3D rendering become more accessible, we’re witnessing an explosion of creativity, redefining what art can be and how we experience it. The innovation on display at this year’s fair made one thing clear: the British art market is fully embracing the digital revolution, and it’s exciting to be a part of this transformation.
Future Trends: What’s Next for Digital Art?
Looking ahead, the future of digital art in Britain and the world in general is incredibly bright. AI art, AR, VR, blockchain and creative technology are just the beginning. As these technologies continue to evolve, so too will the ways in which artists create and audiences experience art.
I believe we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. The British Art Fair 2024 felt like a turning point—not just for me, but for the entire art scene. We are moving into an era where digital art is not a novelty but a respected and integral part of the broader art world. The fusion of technology and creativity is opening up new horizons, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.
One exciting possibility is the growing intersection between digital art and other sectors, like fashion and gaming. We’re already seeing digital artists collaborating with brands to create virtual fashion lines, and digital environments in gaming are becoming works of art in their own right. This cross-pollination between industries is something I’m particularly interested in exploring as a technologist and new media artist.
Conclusion
Digital art is now a driving force in the evolution of contemporary art. The British Art Fair 2024 was a powerful testament to this, showcasing the incredible breadth and depth of digital art today. From interactive installations and AI-generated works to the booming world of NFTs, digital art is reshaping not only how we create but also how we experience and collect art.
I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of this year’s fair, and I can’t wait to see how the digital art scene continues to grow and innovate. Whether you’re an artist, a collector, or just someone who loves experiencing new forms of creativity, there’s never been a more exciting time to get involved in digital art. The future is here, and it’s digital.
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Pivotal Digitalism exhibition online at Pivotal Digitalism and explore the incredible range of digital art that’s defining this new era. Let’s stay curious, passionate, and open to the endless possibilities that technology and art can create together.
All images in this article were taken by Steve Zafeiriou. If you wish to use them, please provide a link to this article.
