Aesthetics in the Digital Age: Art, Authenticity, and Meaning

Abstract

The digital age has transformed the creation, dissemination, and reception of art, challenging traditional conceptions of aesthetics, authenticity, and meaning. Digital technologies—ranging from photography, computer-generated imagery, virtual reality, and AI-generated art—have disrupted established criteria for artistic evaluation and audience engagement. This paper explores the philosophical, cultural, and ethical implications of digital aesthetics. Drawing on classical aesthetic theory, postmodern perspectives, and contemporary debates in digital art, the paper examines how the digital medium redefines authorship, originality, and the experiential dimensions of art. It also investigates the relationship between authenticity and reproducibility, the role of digital platforms in shaping artistic value, and the evolving meaning of art in digitally mediated societies. By interrogating these issues, the paper seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding aesthetics in the 21st century.