The valuation of emerging media arts in the age of digital reproduction

The proliferation of artists, audiences, and participants who have the ability to create mirror copies of original digital media arts work challenges us to re-examine how value is assigned to digital media arts work. Historically, space and capital limitations restricted the public’s accessibility to artwork, but the growth of mass digital reproduction and alternative forms of art exhibition spaces is having a profound effect on the experience and valuation of digital media arts work. For example, the online distribution of digital media arts work across networks facilitates the circumvention of traditional valuation models. In this essay, I explore the background and challenges to assigning value to digital media arts work. This essay also investigates alternative models of exhibition and valuation of digital media arts work in the institutional, private, and public spheres.