The Impact of Mobile Technologies on Visual Culture and Our Lives

The rapid progression of artificial intelligence has brought about substantial transformations in the domain of art and visual culture. From digital tools to AI-based products, the creative industry has undergone a significant shift. However, what has been the catalyst for these changes? Three key technologies, namely the Internet, computers, and smartphones, have played pivotal roles in shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These technologies collectively form the foundation for intensification technologies such as apps, cloud solutions, and AI, and have unequivocally revolutionised our interaction with art and culture. This article aims to explore the impact of mobile technologies on reshaping visual culture and the artistic landscape.

The Mobile Revolution
The smartphone, now the most prevalent electronic device globally, has fundamentally altered visual culture, enabling individuals, regardless of their literacy or level of education, to express themselves through images, emojis, and gestures. The widespread usage of smartphones has empowered people to create and share content on-the-go, providing round-the-clock access to art and culture. The emergence of mobile-first apps like Instagram and Snapchat has revolutionised visual culture.

How We Became Phono Sapiens
Smartphones and tablets have become indispensable tools in various facets of our daily lives, serving functions in work, entertainment, communication, and creation. These devices, with their mobile, haptic, and multi-touch capabilities, have transformed the way we interact with and perceive the world. From capturing personal experiences to documenting everyday moments, smartphones have become vital for memory preservation and self-expression.

Visual Culture in the Mobile Era
The widespread use of smartphones for photography has popularised iPhoneography and redefined visual culture and self-presentation, giving rise to trends such as #Instagramvsreality and the BeReal app. Additionally, the ergonomics of mobile devices have influenced artistic formats including cinema and television.

New Forms of Artistic Expression
Mobile-first social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have emerged as pivotal channels for the creation, distribution, and consumption of arts and culture content. The short and dynamic nature of mobile videos have led to the development of unique narrative structures similar to the evolution of net art in the 1990s. With the increasing accessibility of mobile technology, artists have explored new mediums such as GPS art, digital graffiti, and filter art.

Filtered Reality
The ease of applying filters and effects on mobile devices has resulted in a distortion of reality in our daily lives, as well as in architecture and the environment. Social media platforms have driven the creation of Instagrammable installations and buildings at the expense of the environment and local character of places. The popularity of geotagging on Instagram has raised concerns about the negative impact on flora and fauna, as well as the overall energy consumption of social media platforms.

Conclusion
The impact of mobile technology on visual culture extends beyond the realms of art and culture, influencing our behaviours, experiences, and values, and shaping our interaction with the world. As we navigate the post-mobile era, it is crucial to reflect on the influence of mobile technology on our lives, creative practices, and relationship with the world. Whether it’s through digital minimalism or mindfulness of our reliance on social media, it is imperative to consider the implications of mobile technology on visual culture and society. This article is based on a four-year research on visuality in the era of mobile [r]evolution conducted by the author as part of her PhD dissertation at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology in Warsaw. An extensive collection of visual netnography data is available on the Pinterest profile of the author.