What is visual arts?

Regarding the Arts: What will free-lance artists do when all visual and written arts become computerized and accessed for free?

• As for the visual arts, everything is becoming computerized. Photography is now digital and one risks their "work" becoming free for all to not only see, but keep via their hard-drives. So, what are future artists to do when all their work will be at risk of becoming shared with the world for free? Will the only venues for them to pursue an artistic career be via contracts from firms that have specific requirements needed for use in advertizing? or, say, all CGI work will become contracted work for studios that have specific designs on what the finished product is to be? Where will the creativity of an individual find a future in such an environment? Will this ultimately smother the creative ventures of would-be artists due to the fact that "intellectual property" can no longer be protected? I guess the same could be asked about authors and their writings. In fact, I'm sure there are many more examples where the internet has set the stage for a great many challenges regarding creativity and it's intellectual property...I just have not kept up with the debate, and would like to know what you think the future holds for graphic artists and writers...will everyone become commercialized? or will there still be ways someone with an idea could make a living doing "their own thing" while chasing their dreams behind a camera, or canvas, or pen (keyboard)?

• Answer:

  I have not heard of visual artists being called "free lance artists", like you call the "free lance writers". You do not realize the many roles art plays. Art is not just a picture hanging on the wall. Even if it was, there are creative ways to use the computer to create digital art. You can also copyright your work, so people can't print it without paying you for it. Art is shared. Picasso once said, "Good artists copy. Great artists steal." You can borrow ideas from others and create your own work. Roles of art in society: 1. Commercialization---furniture, bedding, interior decor, dishes, kitchen utensils, clothes, shoes, purses, etc. 2. Architecture. 3. Crafts, folk art. 4. Fine Art---museum art, art for enjoyment in different mediums. 5. Art in religion---the Catholic Church has the most examples of this art. Anyway, art created to enhance the spirit. 6. Art in Education, as part of teaching creativity. History of Art. Art is our other histories and plays an important part. 7. Public Art---art used in parks, children's playgrounds, in cities. Serves to entertain, entices people to go to museums, or as part of history. 8. Art to give us identity---like the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, the Lincoln Memorial. 9. Art as Communication---we can better understand emotions by feeling the messages it sends. 10. Art as shared experience---as quilting with others. It is social. We have many examples of people creating art together. Art is part of our daily lives. It isn't just about one print.