Arts through the decades: 2020s edition

Even though we are only five years in, the 2020s have already proven to be a decade for the books.  Technological innovation is at an all-time high, society is rife with conflict, and the growing distrust of the government dominates the public.  Naturally, these shifts have left a distinctive mark on the arts.

Visual Art

During the prolonged isolation of COVID-19, many people turned to creative outlets for their boredom.  The pandemic inspired its own recurring artistic themes of isolation, resilience, and community.  Artists explored domestic life, mental health, and loss, often through formats such as sketchbooks and photography.  Simple everyday items, such as masks, hand sanitizer, and eerily empty streets, became visual trademarks of pandemic art.  So far, in the 2020s, art has not strayed from the long held tradition of responding to social and political issues.  It remains a visual response to movements such as Black Lives Matter, climate activism, and the harsh realities of war.  Messages of solidarity and justice spread through street art and digital murals.  Amid growing climate change protests, some artists put an emphasis on eco-friendly art, creating works from recycled materials to highlight sustainability.

Music

So far in the 2020s, streaming platforms have revolutionised how music is discovered and distributed.  Platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and TikTok have contributed greatly to promoting underground artists to a wider audience.  Tiktok, in particular, has a strong influence on what songs go viral, often propelling smaller artists to stardom overnight.  Artists increasingly mix and match genres, blurring the lines between them.  There is no single dominant genre, as listeners' tastes are far too diverse.  Technology has introduced new ways for music to be produced and consumed with things such as AI-generated music, virtual concerts, and metaverse performances.  Notable artists shaping the decade include Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, The Weekend, Ariana Grande, Harry Styles, and Lady Gaga.   

Film & Theatre

When cinemas shut down in 2020 due to COVID-19, streaming platforms surged in popularity.  Moreover, movements such as #OscarsSoWhite pushed Hollywood toward a more inclusive future.  Representation expanded for the LGBTQ+ communities as well as racially and ethnically diverse groups.  Films like Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) and shows like Heartstopper (2022) reflected these shifts.  Major franchises continued with blockbusters such as Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022).  Instead of old and reused plotlines, original concepts thrived, with hits like Barbie and Oppenheimer (both 2023) creating massive waves.

COVID-19 led to live theatres being temporarily shut down during quarantine.  As a result, some performances were streamed online, such as Hamilton on Disney+.  Later, when theatres eventually reopened, productions resumed  with hits like Six, a musical about King Henry VIII's six wives.  Representation for marginalised communities reached new heights, both on stage and behind the curtains.  Big-name film stars appeared on Broadway, while large budgets and immersive productions were key to drawing audiences back into theatres.

Fashion

The long periods of quarantine induced isolation, when people rarely left their homes, sparked a revolution in loungewear.  People increasingly wore sweatpants and hoodies.  Minimalist aesthetics and work-from-home comfort dominated the early 2020s, especially during COVID-19.  Gen Z and TikTok revived 90s and early 2000s styles, turning the Y2K aesthetics into a viral trend.  Designers embraced gender fluidity, creating gender-neutral clothing.  Clothing also became more inclusive of all body types, promoting body positivity.  Major brands showcased non-binary, plus size, and adaptive fashion on runways.    

Future Predictions for the 2020s

With only five years gone, the 2020s still hold plenty of time for new art to emerge.  In the coming years, art will likely evolve more than ever before, driven by the rapid advancements in AI and technology.  AI can already make music and generate images.  By the end of the decade, AI’s capability to create art in all forms will have significantly advanced.  I am certain that people will continue to fight for what they believe in through their creations.  Predicting the future of art is difficult, as trends rise rapidly and fade into obscurity just as fast.  

So far, the 2020s have redefined what it means to create.  Technology, social change, and a post-pandemic world have pushed artists to unparalleled levels of innovation.  This decade is proving the essential role that art plays in society.  Today, the statements made through art are just as vital as the ones made in the 1960s, a decade marked by civil rights and revolution.  Five decades later …