What is Digitalism—and why is it making waves in the art world? As award-winning filmmaker and curator Rebekah Tolley writes in her recent essay “The Rise of Digitalism: A New Movement in Art,” Digitalism explores the intersection of art, culture, and technology in the digital era. Today, Rebekah joins us to unpack the emergence of Digitalism as both a cultural movement and a groundbreaking exhibition that she curated for the British Art Fair in 2024.
Last year, Digitalism showcased around 60 pioneering artists who redefine creative boundaries using innovative media such as photography, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. This inaugural exhibition celebrated the evolution of digital art and positioned it as a vital form of expression within the contemporary arts landscape. Rebekah drew inspiration from early pioneers like Nam June Paik and Vera Molnár while also highlighting today’s innovators who are pushing the envelope even further.
Building on the success of the 2024 show, Rebekah is gearing up for an exciting 2025 showcase at the Saatchi Gallery in London from September 25 to 28. This upcoming exhibition promises to continue highlighting cutting-edge works across AI, AR, VR, digital sculpture, and beyond, offering an immersive, future-facing experience that reflects our evolving relationship with art in the digital age.
Throughout our discussion, Rebekah emphasizes the challenges digital artists face in gaining acceptance within the traditional art world, a struggle reminiscent of photography's early days. She advocates for accessibility and community, aiming to dispel myths and foster an inclusive environment for practitioners of Digitalism. As we look forward to the 2025 Digitalism showcase, it’s clear this movement is more than a trend; it has the potential to redefine expression within the digital realm as we enter a new digital age.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Digitalism at the British Art Fair
Rebekah Tolley: “The Rise of Digitalism: A New Movement in Art”
About Rebekah Tolley and Digitalism
Rebekah Tolley is an innovative filmmaker, visual and sound artist, and curator, known for her transformative contributions to the art world. In 2024, she shook things up as the producer and curator for PIVOTAL: Digitalism at Saatchi Gallery, marking a significant milestone by creating the first dedicated section for digital art in the history of the British Art Fair. This exhibition heralded DIGITALISM as a crucial movement, celebrating a century of creativity since the rise of Surrealism and the Impressionist movement.
Currently, Rebekah is poised to lead the next edition, DBA: Digitalism, at the British Art Fair 2025, continuing her exploration of digital art's role in contemporary culture. A graduate of EAVE, she is also the owner of Tarian Films and has produced award-winning films, including the critically acclaimed We Went to War. Beyond filmmaking, her interdisciplinary projects and collaborations challenge traditional narratives and engage audiences in fresh, dynamic ways. Rebekah's work emphasizes the intersection of art and technology and the importance of storytelling and connection, making her a vital voice in the evolving landscape of digital art.