Don't Delete Art
Submitted by Emma Shapiro 10 PT and written by Don't Delete Art:
The Don't Delete Art Campaign has released a Manifesto calling on social media companies to give artists a seat at the table for content moderation decisions and to protect freedom of artistic expression online. Join us by signing the Don't Delete Art Manifesto!
Social media is a critical avenue for artistic exposure and expression; in 2020, it replaced art fairs as the third most successful way for galleries to sell art. As a result, social media corporations have become cultural gatekeepers with unprecedented power to determine which art works can freely circulate and which ones are banned or pushed into the digital margins.
Overly restrictive and unclear community guidelines, along with vague definitions as to what counts as “objectionable” material, routinely erase art from search functions, explore functions and hashtags. Algorithmic errors result in the removal of work, in account deletion, suppression of reach and in loss of followers. Appeals processes are difficult, protracted and often ineffective. The artists and audiences that are likely to be most severely affected are those living in oppressive regimes, those coming from marginal groups and those who lack museum or gallery representation.
Shapiro adds, "As many artists—RISD grads included—are increasingly relying on social media and online platforms to find opportunities and share their work, it is critical that these important tools are available for all artists. Sign the Don't Delete Art Manifesto to demand protection for artistic expression online in the face of major regulatory changes and increasing global censorship."
Don't Delete Art is a collaboration between artists Emma Shapiro, Savannah Spirit & Spencer Tunick, and the National Coalition Against Censorship, Freemuse, and PEN America's Artists at Risk Connection.
