Art Basel and UBS Launch Series Exploring Digital Art Evolution

Art Basel and UBS released the first episode of their documentary series, Decoding Art in the Digital Era, on 30 September 2026. The series examines the evolution of digital art, situating it within a broader history of artists adopting and responding to new technologies. The first episode, titled “What is Art in the Digital Era?”, traces how digital art has developed over time, emphasizing that its origins predate NFTs, artificial intelligence, and even the internet. Artists have been experimenting with computers and code since the 1960s, continuing a much longer tradition of using new tools to create and think about art.

The episode features a range of voices from the art world. Artists Beeple, Manfred Mohr, Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst, and Sougwen Chung share their perspectives on how digital tools have influenced artistic practice. The episode also includes insights from curator Christiane Paul, gallerist Sofia Garcia, critic Shumon Basar, and UBS art advisors Matthew Newton and Carola Wiese. Their contributions highlight the diversity of thought regarding the place of digital art within the wider art landscape.

A central theme of the episode is how digital tools have challenged established ideas of what art can be. The discussion reflects a culture in which technology increasingly shapes how people communicate, create, and experience the world. The episode suggests that the distinction between digital art and art itself is becoming more difficult to maintain, and may eventually disappear altogether.

The practices explored in the series encompass a wide range of digital approaches. These include generative systems, artificial intelligence, immersive environments, and decentralized networks. By covering these varied practices, the series demonstrates the breadth of digital art and its ongoing evolution.

The production of the series involved a collaborative team. Art Basel’s editorial and creative staff, including Producer and Senior Editor Alicia Reuter, Editorial Assistant Lama Yaghi, and Head of Brand & Creative Jeanne-Salomé Rochat, played key roles. The production team also included John Gatapia as Editor and Animator, Ryle Newo Torres for Animations, Studio Manager Yulia Piskuliyska, and Producer Rissy McGrath.

Additional support came from Art Basel Partnerships, with Senior Creative Strategist Caitlin Britton and Partnership Manager Ingrid Wendeling Soares, as well as UBS Project Manager for Content and Design Marketing Excellence Lab, Sarah Edelmann-Norton. Special thanks were given to Hayley Jones, Founder of Rose Social, for her contributions.

Through these collaborative efforts, Decoding Art in the Digital Era presents a multifaceted look at how digital technologies have influenced art. The series aims to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the ongoing dialogue between art and technology, and how this relationship continues to shape creative expression today.