How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World _ by Yogesh Malik

For centuries, the art world has been like an “ivory tower” — a space controlled by a select few. Think about it: elite institutions like museums and galleries, along with prestigious critics, decided what art was valuable, who counted as an artist, and which works deserved recognition.

But now, thanks to the internet, that old power structure is being turned on its head. Independent creators have unprecedented access to global audiences, and the grip of institutional gatekeepers is slipping.

So, let’s see how the internet is “killing” the ivory tower in the art world.

What does this mean for artists, collectors, and our culture as a whole?

1. Direct Access to Audiences
In the past, artists needed to be accepted by a gallery or receive the endorsement of an art critic to gain visibility. The internet has removed that barrier. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok allow artists to directly share their work with millions of people.

Art is no longer confined to galleries — it’s on your smartphone, laptop, or social media feed.

Example: Street artists like Kaws and Banksy built their careers outside traditional institutions, with their work going viral online, leading to mainstream fame and demand.

Other creators on Instagram and TikTok now find fans and buyers without ever stepping into a gallery.

This direct access to audiences has allowed artists to:

Build personal brands and followings online.
Control their own narratives and artistic identities.
Avoid the costs and politics associated with gallery representation.
2. Decentralization of Art Criticism and Curation
Art criticism used to be the realm of a handful of experts. Well-known critics and curators held significant influence, acting as gatekeepers who could make or break an artist’s career.

With the internet, however, criticism has become decentralized. Blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts, and social media platforms allow anyone to become an art critic.

While this democratization may dilute traditional expertise, it offers a more diverse range of voices and perspectives.

Artists no longer have to seek approval from elite critics; they can instead connect with niche audiences who appreciate their work for what it is, without the formal backing of institutions.

Impact:

Traditional art criticism has lost some of its power as audiences look to peers and influencers for recommendations.
Online influencers can now have a greater impact than traditional critics, reshaping the conversation around art.
3. New Funding Models for Artists
For many artists, making a living through traditional means — selling work via galleries, securing grants, or winning commissions — was challenging.

The internet has enabled new business models that allow artists to fund their careers more independently:

Crowdfunding platforms like

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How the Internet is Dismantling the
Ivory Tower of the Art World
How internet has irreversibly transformed the landscape of art
Yogesh Malik
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3. For centuries, the art world has been like an “ivory tower” — a space
controlled by a select few. Think about it: elite institutions like museums and
galleries, along with prestigious critics, decided what art was valuable, who
counted as an artist, and which works deserved recognition.
But now, thanks to the internet, that old power structure is being turned on
its head. Independent creators have unprecedented access to global
audiences, and the grip of institutional gatekeepers is slipping.
So, let’s see how the internet is “killing” the ivory tower in the art world.
What does this mean for artists, collectors, and our culture as a whole?
1. Direct Access to Audiences
In the past, artists needed to be accepted by a gallery or receive the
endorsement of an art critic to gain visibility. The internet has removed that
barrier. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok allow artists to
directly share their work with millions of people.
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 3/16

4. Art is no longer confined to galleries — it’s on your
smartphone, laptop, or social media feed.
Example: Street artists like Kaws and Banksy built their careers outside
traditional institutions, with their work going viral online, leading to
mainstream fame and demand.
Other creators on Instagram and TikTok now find fans and buyers without
ever stepping into a gallery.
This direct access to audiences has allowed artists to:
Build personal brands and followings online.
Control their own narratives and artistic identities.
Avoid the costs and politics associated with gallery representation.
2. Decentralization of Art Criticism and Curation
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 4/16

5. Art criticism used to be the realm of a handful of experts. Well-known critics
and curators held significant influence, acting as gatekeepers who could
make or break an artist’s career.
With the internet, however, criticism has become
decentralized. Blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts,
and social media platforms allow anyone to become
an art critic.
While this democratization may dilute traditional expertise, it offers a more
diverse range of voices and perspectives.
Artists no longer have to seek approval from elite critics; they can instead
connect with niche audiences who appreciate their work for what it is,
without the formal backing of institutions.
Impact:
Traditional art criticism has lost some of its power as audiences look to
peers and influencers for recommendations.
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 5/16

6. Online influencers can now have a greater impact than traditional critics,
reshaping the conversation around art.
3. New Funding Models for Artists
For many artists, making a living through traditional means — selling work
via galleries, securing grants, or winning commissions — was challenging.
The internet has enabled new business models that allow artists to fund
their careers more independently:
Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo help artists raise
money for projects.
Patreon allows artists to build a subscription base, where fans support
them directly.
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) have created a digital art market that
bypasses traditional auction houses and galleries, empowering artists to
sell their work directly to collectors.
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 6/16

7. With these new models, artists can experiment and
create work that may not appeal to traditional buyers
but still resonates with niche audiences.
This creates financial independence and creative freedom outside the
established systems of art commerce.
4. Breaking Down Geographic and Cultural Barriers
Before the internet, an artist’s success was often tied to their proximity to
major art hubs like New York, Paris, or London.
Today, artists from anywhere in the world can reach global audiences
without leaving their hometowns.
This has not only expanded opportunities for
underrepresented artists but also allowed for a more
diverse array of voices in the global art conversation.
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 7/16

8. Case in Point: Digital platforms have spotlighted artists from regions
historically marginalized in the global art market, such as African and
Southeast Asian creators. This has allowed for the cross-pollination of styles
and influences, enriching the global art scene.
5. Evolving Forms of Art
The internet hasn’t just changed how art is shared and sold — it has also
transformed what counts as art.
Digital art, memes, and even YouTube videos have
gained recognition as legitimate forms of expression.
The rise of NFTs has also blurred the line between traditional and digital art,
leading to new debates about ownership, originality, and value.
Example: Artists like Beeple (Mike Winkelmann) achieved global fame by
creating digital art and selling it as NFTs, fetching prices that rival some of
the most expensive traditional artworks.
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 8/16

9. With digital mediums now considered a legitimate form of artistic
expression, the old definitions of “art” are being challenged, along with the
institutions that once controlled them.
6. The Changing Role of Institutions
Galleries, museums, and traditional auction houses aren’t disappearing, but
they are being forced to adapt.
Many now actively participate in the digital space, hosting virtual exhibitions or
using social media to engage with new audiences.
Some institutions have begun integrating digital art into their collections,
recognizing its growing importance.
However, this shift also raises critical questions:
Will museums and galleries lose relevance if artists can reach audiences
on their own?
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 9/16

10. How will these institutions redefine their roles in a world where the
internet levels the playing field?
The Future of Art in the Age of the Internet
The internet has reshaped the art world in profound ways. It has dismantled
the ivory tower by empowering independent artists, decentralizing criticism,
creating new funding mechanisms, and opening global markets.
As traditional gatekeepers adapt or resist these
changes, the balance of power continues to shift.
While this democratization offers new opportunities for artists, it also
presents challenges.
The flood of content online can make it difficult for artists to stand out, and
the internet’s fast pace may encourage work that prioritizes virality over
depth.
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 10/16

11. Moreover, questions of art ownership in the digital age — particularly with
the rise of NFTs — continue to evolve.
Ultimately, the internet has irreversibly transformed
the landscape of art.
It is an exciting time for artists, collectors, and audiences alike as the
boundaries between traditional and digital art, elite and popular culture,
continue to blur.
Artificial Intelligence Art Artist Power Of Internet Transformation
9/20/24, 2:39 PM How the Internet is Dismantling the Ivory Tower of the Art World | by Yogesh Malik | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@yogeshmalik/how-the-internet-is-dismantling-the-ivory-tower-of-the-art-world-76fc7f31c84b 11/16

12. Written by Yogesh Malik
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