Mobile Art Observations

Mike Nourse
ARTIST, EDUCATOR
Illinois, USA
Mike Nourse is an intermedia artist and Director of Education at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago.

When I was first asked to write about iPhone art in 2009, whatever iPhone art meant to the larger art world was up for debate. Now, in 2013, the song remains the same, although with thousands more apps, the growth of mobile art in general, and the explosion of online sharing, it would be hard to doubt the impact of this tool and its powerful effect on the world as we know it. Some continue to see the iPhone as a powerful art-making tool while others still see nothing more than a phone with bells. While the debate goes on, fine artists everywhere are making, sharing, and selling iPhone, mobile, and iPad art in increasing numbers. You can find iPhone art on the cover of print publications and inside online magazine articles, in galleries and in private collections, and the quality of mobile art has increased to the stage where point-and-shoot cameras are fading into the background. After a few years of international use, there’s a strong case to be made that the iPhone is at worst a flexible, powerful, and convenient new tool for contemporary artists.

When I curated the first international exhibition of iPhone art in 2009, there were more doubters than believers. The artists represented the minority but, in my opinion, a very powerful one. It was relatively easy to find strong work from around the world and, more importantly, strong momentum which implied that this movement was only going to grow, which it has. Today we see a more powerful iPhone leading to incredible works of all kinds, the iPad has emerged as an outgrowth with record sales and dominance in the market, and rival phone devices have all evolved designs to feature touch-screen interfaces, access to applications, and many other iPhone characteristics. In short, the world has shown that the iPhone had it right, and today there are countless more believers than skeptics.

The iPhone, iPad, and mobile art movement will continue to impact our lives. After teaching digital media for years and an iPhone Art course in 2009, I have seen many tools and trends come and go, and the iPhone certainly falls into the category of “legitimate”, if anything for the foreseeable future. Below you will find some of my thoughts on how the iPhone fits into the newer art landscape of the 21st century.

Historical Relevance

Photography is a strong example of a tool that took time to be accepted inside the world of art. What were early photographs but cheating the representational painting process? I had read about this history in college, and saw similar developments first-hand in a couple of areas. For example, music software (is digital editing a viable tool for music? many people didn’t think so), then image editing software such as “Photoshop” (are digital images worthy? many people initially had doubts). I have learned that asking the question “Is this a viable art tool?” often declares the answer by itself. Yes, it is. If it were not an option for artists, we would simply not be asking the question to begin with. The iPhone and iPad’s development mirrors many tools of the past, which makes me think that these devices are in fact legitimate ones for 21st century artists.

Sharing Art

Let’s face it, if the art never reaches an audience, then what is the point? Mobile devices allow the user to experience sharing art in new ways (even in 2013), which provide options for artists to reach their audiences: direct communication between individuals, posting to social networking, sharing through new apps such as “Instagram”, uploading to specific sites such as YouTube, Flickr, and Vimeo.

These things are all possible with mobile devices in 2013 and allow a conversation to happen, which is what defines art at its very core. In addition, artists today are responsible for all aspects of communications when it comes to their practice. Sending images or work via the internet or phone network is half of the game. The other half is following up, connecting with people, and it just so happens this tool allows you to communicate in countless ways, meaning more ways for artists to meaningfully connect with their audience.

Inspiration Leads to Creation

A tool that can capture inspirational moments can be extremely valuable. Desktop publishing allowed users to create close to home, and laptops took this a step further with portability. The iPad has built on the iPhone’s success, but an iPhone (like most newer mobile devices) allows users to take a digital studio wherever they want, one that works with phone networks meaning easy access to communication. Unlike most computers or even iPads, people often have to take their creative device with them (because it is also their phone). This last distinction separates the iPhone and mobile devices from other digital tools.

Artists Love Saving Money

With so many apps, the artist can spend time customizing the tool for his/her needs without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on full-blown software packages. I’ve personally spent about $25 total on apps since acquiring my iPhone in 2009: that’s a fraction of what most creatives spend on desktop software. Even as a part-time iPhone artist I’ve made more than twenty-five times that selling some of my iPhone art.

Art is Enjoyment

At the end of the day, artists in general seek to enjoy their own process, and in addition to being powerful the iPhone is playful and fun to use. If you’ve ever enjoyed playing a video game, navigating your satellite television guide, or engaging with interactive museum exhibits, chances are you are 21st century friendly and would also enjoy an iPhone/iPad/mobile device interface. It is fun, easy to use, and can take art projects as far as you can imagine, sometimes farther.

Documentation is as Important as the Art

With a built-in camera for high-quality stills or HD video and apps for editing content, iPhones and iPads can create, edit, and document! Apps such as “Photoshop” allow the iUser to master still images with professional tools, as does “iMovie” with video. And using the iPad has only enhanced the experience, allowing for more space to see more details. The iPhone and the iPad present an all-in-one package that make them prolific tools, fitting perfectly inside the 21st century “do-it-yourself” culture.

The Future is Now

If anything, the proliferation of touch-pad phones over the last few years points to more options for portable artmaking devices, something that keeps communications components at the forefront while adding to creative tool sets. With the Droid, Google Phone, and Fender collector phones, we see more and more companies diving into a valuable market. The iPad is also a game-changer, pushing past communications devices into its own category (although we can now connect iPads through phone networks). Armed with the same operating systems and the same sea of apps as the iPhone, it creates a new space between phone and computer to facilitate art.

In the long run, the iPhone might not maintain its place as a market leader in this area (who knows?). However, it has clearly established itself as a pioneering tool and currently sits at the head of the pack. With many years under its belt and other phone companies copying as much as possible, it is clear that this device has changed the art landscape. With so much creative potential, it’s no wonder that artists in 2013 often go days without making a phone call. This tool is too powerful!