By: Maria Williams
Technology is the beating heart of 21st-century conversations, inspiring visionaries to explore its boundless possibilities and igniting innovation. While cutting-edge solutions and the emotional, unbridled realm of artistry seem worlds apart, some issues daunting art galleries, creators, collectors, and enthusiasts can be addressed only through technology implementation.
Art, specifically fine art and pieces displayed in museums, is commonly considered an out-of-reach luxury that welcomes only experts with years of experience and creators with pristine reputations. This perception resulted in the gradually waning involvement of youth in the market, potentially stifling the success and representation of Gen Zers in this space. With outdated appraisals – subjective valuations performed by individuals with biases and preferences – the voices of young artists rarely echo through this sphere, depriving not only creators but also collectors and those who indulge in paintings, sculptures, and vibrant artistry recreationally with a unique, modern perspective.
Transparency in art means knowing that the price a collector is paying is fair, considering all contributing factors, from the artist’s expertise to material use and historical and analytical data. A 2024 Artsy survey showcases that 95% of collectors value artwork transparency as an important element of every purchase. Especially in light of the rising prominence of buying art online, ensuring transparency and shattering art mistrust is essential, as it empowers collectors to make informed decisions that benefit both them and the creators.
However, when asked about the greatest obstacles that discourage online purchases, most survey respondents (56%) blamed the lack of visible price, followed by shipping logistics (46%) and insufficient information—excluding the price—on the work (46%). With online platforms playing a crucial role in the landscape, tools that enable objective, standardized appraisals and provide browsers with all necessary data hold the promise of redefining the future.
Generational gaps often determine online/in-person preferences. For instance, 82% of collectors aged 37 or more admitted to purchasing art from galleries, while only 70% of collectors aged 18 to 36 said the same. However, while only 10% of younger collectors, compared to 29% of the older group, said they’d purchased art from in-person auctions, both crowds agreed that they preferred buying work directly from the artist, with 70%, respectively choosing that as their preference.
Downward trends in the art market are evident, calling for solutions that illuminate this often mystical landscape. In the past, technology tried making waves in artistry, shunned by traditional devotees who struggle to envision a world where tech and creativity come together in a powerful synergy. Asta Ivanauskienė, a lifelong culture aficionado and experienced producer of contemporary art events, recognized the potential of technology during her tenure at a museum. This realization led to a passionate mission – filling transparency voids and democratizing the industry by leveraging AI-powered technology to provide accurate, objective art appraisals.
“Now, an artwork is worth as much as its price tag. We need to ask ourselves, ‘Who is determining these prices?’ ‘Where do the economic inconsistencies between two similar works come from?’ and ‘How can we elevate the landscape?’ Art evaluation experts’ knowledge, while impressive, is still limited to their artistic knowledge,” stresses Asta. “With AI, we could analyze millions of artwork pieces within minutes and – most importantly – make appraisals objective.”
To bridge the gaps in the art market, Asta conceptualized Annifer, launching an ArtTech app that is currently gearing up for its seed funding round. Aiming to revolutionize the space, Annifer aims to assist the irreplaceable human eye, empower experts to make objective appraisals, fuel transparency, and enlighten collectors and enthusiasts on crucial information, from analytical and historical data to artist reputation. “All you need to do is take a picture of an artwork; the art valuation app does everything else,” says Asta. “It collects and compares millions of data, from contemporary art to historical pieces and everything in between, providing users with comprehensive information that democratizes the space and empowers all parts of the industry.”
The rise of research in the art field suggests a growing interest of political and socio-economic experts on a mission to draw parallels between creative trends and external factors. While Annifer’s primary focus lies within the artistic realm, its possibilities extend far beyond that, with the collected and analyzed data being able to inform and elevate future scientific research.
As the artistic world slowly but surely opens its gates to technology, embracing more cutting-edge solutions, Annifer stands at the forefront of this movement. “It’s not about replacing humans or relying blindly on what technology has to say; it’s about understanding that creativity and AI can stand together,” reflects Asta. “Art is among the most powerful tools in the technological era, and its importance should never be understated. But to maintain its prominence in the world, we need to honor human creativity adequately, and that’s what Annifer aims to do.”
Published by: Josh Tatunay
