Exploring street art in the digital era: how the value of street art is co-created

Boscaino, Mattia (2022). Exploring street art in the digital era: how the value of street art is co-created. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

How do street artists, and their artwork(s), become well-known and acclaimed in the digital era? Of course, not all street artists aim to become famous, but those who do seek to become renowned often struggle to identify the steps needed to reach a level of renown-ness that will allow them to secure profitable commissions, recognition within the street art community, and wider reputation and fame. This study aims to improve the understanding of how street artworks achieve renown/ness in the digital era by exploring some of the different perspectives of the actors involved in the street artworld; and looks to reveal and analyse the different types of interactions that happen both on and offline - and that influence the value of street art. A multi-method qualitative approach is used to access the different points of view of street artists, street art curators, and street art connoisseurs who make use of digital platforms. The study reveals the multi-dimensional nature of a complex social process characterised by value co-creation amongst both professional and amateur participants in the world of street art. The research findings provide a valuable new understanding and explanation of the social dynamics underpinning the value co-creation of street art across a wide set of key actors. Indeed, it seems that the value of street art develops via the interactions happening amongst street art crews, between street artists and curators, during discussions on digital platforms, and importantly from interactions that happen both on and offline. The research also identifies some of the practical vocational implications for street artists and contributes with some new insights and knowledge in regard to how creative renown and acclaim is achieved in the street artworld in the digital era.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):