Art accelerationism
| Art accelerationism | |
|---|---|
| Coined by | Remilia Corporation |
| Related concepts | Lefthand style, Post-Authorship, Network Spirituality, New Net Art |
| Field | Contemporary art theory |
Art accelerationism is a philosophical approach to artistic creation advocated by Remilia Corporation that promotes rapid art production through embracing technological tools, automated processes, found materials, and lowered barriers to entry.[1] The concept positions art as a vehicle for cultural acceleration rather than resistance, embracing the potential of new technologies to fundamentally transform artistic expression and circulation.
Origins and context
Art accelerationism emerged in the early 2020s within the broader philosophical framework of New Net Art developed by Charlotte Fang. While drawing on earlier accelerationist thought in philosophy and politics, Fang specifically refers here to futurist principles to artistic production.
In art, this translates to embracing rapid production methods, algorithmic assistance, and digital distribution to catalyze aesthetic and cultural evolution.
Art accelerationism draws from multiple influences:
- DIY music culture and indie bands like Beat Happening, which valued immediacy and authenticity over technical polish
- Surrealist automatism and its experiments with unconscious creation
- Digital folk art and early internet aesthetics
- Open-source software development models and collaborative creation
- AI and algorithmic art generation
Core principles
Acceleration of artistic production
Art accelerationism advocates for dramatically increasing both the speed and volume of artistic creation. This involves:
- Embracing automation tools (including AI) to generate or assist in art creation
- Utilizing found materials, assets, and existing cultural elements
- Developing workflows that emphasize quantity alongside quality
- Reducing the time between conception and realization
The philosophy values rapid iteration over prolonged perfectionism, believing that accelerated creation leads to more opportunities for aesthetic innovation.
Technique democratization
A central tenet of art accelerationism is the dismantling of technical barriers to artistic creation. This includes:
- Promoting techniques like Lefthand style that deliberately reject technical virtuosity
- Sharing workflows, tools, and processes openly
- Developing simplified creation methods accessible to those without formal training
- Valuing conceptual expression over technical execution
This democratization aims to expand who can participate in art creation, allowing more diverse voices and perspectives to emerge in cultural production.
Remixing and derivation
Art accelerationism embraces the creative potential of remixing existing works and deriving new content from established sources:
- Encouraging creative sampling and recontextualization
- Treating all creative work as potential material for further creation
- Blurring distinctions between original and derivative works
- Prioritizing network effects of shared aesthetics over individual ownership
This approach aligns with Post-Authorship principles, emphasizing collective creation over individual genius.
Technological embrace
Unlike many artists of the 2020's positioning themselves in opposition to AI technology, art accelerationism actively incorporates emerging technologies:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools
- Generative algorithms and procedural art creation
- Automation of repetitive aspects of art production
- Digital distribution and blockchain technologies
Rather than viewing technology as a threat to artistic authenticity, art accelerationism sees it as a catalyst for new forms of expression and accessibility.
Relationship to broader accelerationism
While art accelerationism shares conceptual roots with political and technological accelerationism, it refers specifically to cultural production rather than social or economic transformation, specifically emphasizing:
- Cultural acceleration through aesthetic innovation
- Network effects of shared creative tools and practices
- Democratization of art-making processes
- The transformative potential of artistic abundance
See also
References
- ↑ Sergey Golubev (October 29, 2024). "The Unconventional World of Remilia Corporation: Redefining Digital Art". Medium. Retrieved November 6, 2025.