Physical and Virtual Mobilities in the Art World

The idea behind mobilities is one of fluid movement, and the ability to cross borders, in this case for or with your work. Artists may work with physical mobilities, where they travel across these borders with their work and are able to be in the physical space of exhibition, or a virtual mobility, where their work enters the exhibition space but they themselves do not. The ability to enact these mobilities often depends on a variety of things, not least of all free movement, class and finances and country of origin, as well as many other factors. It may in some cases be necessary for an artist to move physically, if for example, they are a part of their art, or in fact if they feel they need to maintain some of the control over their artwork. Of course, this means that artists who may not have the means to travel across these borders may in fact lose some of the control and agency. Does this mean that the politics of mobility and movement must also impact an artist’s ability to take possession of their own work and their place in the global art market?

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