Arts through the decades: 2010s edition

The 2010s marked a decade when art became increasingly digital and globally interconnected.  Social media transformed how audiences consumed art, connected creators with their viewers, and blurred the line between artist and observer through interactive platforms.  From viral videos to immersive installations, the arts thrived by adapting to the ever-changing world.

Visual Art

The rise of social media platforms introduced new ways of showcasing and sharing art.  Platforms like Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest allowed artists to share their work for global audiences, building artists’ popularity, audiences, and even launching careers.  They also fostered creative inspiration and collaboration, building an interconnected online art community. However, technology’s impact on art extended beyond sharing.  Artists embraced smartphones, tablets, and advanced software as creative tools.  New styles emerged, including augmented reality, which combines digital content with the physical world and virtual reality art, which immerses the user in fully created environments.  

Artists continued the long-standing tradition of using art to confront and address global issues.  As concerns about climate change grew, artists began to create powerful art to provoke emotional responses and inspire action.  They also addressed issues such as racial injustice, gender equality, and migration.  These confrontations did not remain confined to digital spaces or galleries.  They flooded the streets.  Street artists like Banksy, JR, and Shepard Fairey gained mainstream recognition for their public works.  They placed their art in urban environments, making art widely accessible, and reaching thousands of viewers daily.

Music

The 2010s witnessed a dynamic mix of musical genres, with various trends shaping the music of the decade.  Pop music maintained its dominance and fame, with artists like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber strengthening the genre.  Midway through the decade, Hip-Hop and rap became one of the most influential genres, driven by artists like Drake, Cardi B, and Kendrick Lamar.  Electronic dance music experienced an explosion early in the decade, fueled by advancements in technology and accessibility in digital tools.  Meanwhile, indie and alternative music faced a boom in popularity, propelled by artists such as Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, and Lana Del Rey.

Lyrically, the decade embraced themes of identity, empowerment, and activism, addressing global and social issues such as climate awareness.  The rise of streaming services slowly replaced traditional physical sales and even digital downloads.  Viral culture, powered by YouTube, and later TikTok (musically), transformed how viral hits were made, with social media becoming a driver of success.  

Film & Theater

The 2010s marked a revolution in film distribution with the rise of streaming services with platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, which significantly increased global accessibility.  At the same time, rapid advancements were made in CGI, special effects, and animation transformed how visual storytelling was produced. 

The decade was dominated by cinematic universes and blockbuster franchises, with Marvel and D.C shaping super-hero films and long-running series like Star Wars and Fast and Furious captivating global audiences.  These films consistently shattered box-office records worldwide.  

The decade also saw significant movements around film including more diversity and representation.  Movements such as #OscarsSoWhite exposed the systematic inequality of diversity in the industry, sparking calls of inclusivity.  These movements were catalyses for discussions about Hollywood’s inclusiveness.  Films like Black Panther (2018), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), and Moonlight (2016) laid the groundwork for films with more authentic representation of sexuality, race, and culture.  Furthermore, many productions addressed pressing global issues like climate change and migration.

Theater in the 2010s mirrored the shift in representation and awareness.  Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical Hamilton (2015) blended hip-hop, rap, and traditional theater, quickly becoming a global phenomenon ripe with representation and reflection on global issues.  Like in previous decades other theater productions explored pressing global issues: The Inheritance (2018) had LGBTQ+ themes and Dear Evan Hanson (2015) was about mental health and the heavy impact of social media.  

Fashion

In the 2010s, the rise of social media sparked a wave of new fashion trends and reshaped fashion marketing.  Celebrities and popular influencers posted photos of their outfits, driving new trends.  Streetwear and athleisure rose in popularity, driven by brands like Lululemon, Nike, Supreme, and Off-White that blended fashion with comfort.  90s styles made a comeback, crop tops, mom jeans, and scrunchies, reflecting nostalgia and the rise of vintage aesthetics.  Later in the decade, early Y2K trends returned, including low-rise jeans and flashy accessories.  By the late 2010s, people began to see the environmental impact of fast fashion and started to thrift and upcycle clothing.  Furthermore, fashion became increasingly more gender-fluid, with unisex fashion collections, challenging traditional gender norms.      

The 2010s marked a decade of disruption, as technology and social media broke down the traditional barriers of art, giving rise to fresh voices.  This amplified the calls for social justice and representation.