Digital art refers to works created, displayed, or distributed through digital technology. Some works exist only as files or animations, while others combine physical and virtual elements.
The art world has embraced this shift: in 2021, a purely digital collage by Beeple (Mike Winkelmann) (United States, b. 1981) sold at Christie’s for USD 69 million, marking a turning point in how digital art is valued and collected. Other artists, such as Refik Anadol (Turkey, b. 1985), who creates data-driven visual installations, or Pak (Turkey, active since 2008), whose generative NFTs challenge ideas of authorship and ownership, have redefined the boundaries between art, technology, and audience.
From a copyright perspective, digital art is protected when it meets the same standards as any other visual artwork: It must show original, human creative expression and be “fixed” in a tangible form, such as a file, print, or recording.
New media and immersive experiences
New media art often goes beyond the screen. Using tools and techniques such as , , projection mapping, or interactive installations, artists invite viewers to step inside their works—to move, react, and even shape the experience. Artists like teamLab (Japan, founded 2001) have created vast digital environments that respond to the presence and motion of visitors, turning spectators into participants. Other artists use sensors, sound, or light to create installations that change in real time, making the audience part of the creative process itself.
New media artworks combine different creative elements (for example, visuals, sound, software, architecture, and performance), and each may carry its own copyright. Agreements among collaborators (such as programmers, sound designers, or curators) are essential to define ownership and avoid future disputes.
Practical issues also arise in preservation: software updates or discontinued technologies can affect how digital works survive over time. Many museums now work directly with artists to document installation parameters and ensure their integrity for future exhibition.
Image credit: cokada