Our perceptions of artists and creators shift with our perceptions of society; at times we have perceived them as intellectuals, at times as professionals, and at times as artisans. Yet, in the Digital Age – where the materials to create have never been more readily accessible – who truly gets to claim the title of “artist?” Production is cheap when you have a phone that can become a camera, make a video, and record music, and distribution is as simple as posting online. If anyone can put music on Soundcloud or artwork on Redbubble, how do we ensure that the artists who dedicate years to their expertise and work are able to be sustained?

In his new book The Death of the Artist: How Creators Are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech, William Deresiewicz interviews artists of all kinds and crafts their experiences into a narrative of the modern struggles of creators. He elaborates on the unique challenges artists face in this digital era, and how exploitation and instant gratification have changed our perceptions of art.

Join us as Deresiewicz discusses The Death of the Artist and the changing of our fundamental ideas about the nature of art and the role of the artist in society.