ISLAMABAD: “It’s a click-based world, and sometimes, people say outrageous things online for clicks.” This was how curator Qudsia Rahim described the social media phenomenon and its elusive relationship with the art world.

People who have no prior engagement with art may, thanks to social media, click on something just to get offended, she said at a session on ‘Art and Social Media’.

Panellists agreed that social media was a double-edged sword and shared their experiences, as well as discussing the challenges posed by this new medium.

NCA’s Nadia Batool Hussain pointed out how social media had made the concept of the gallery redundant by allowing artists and students much greater outreach for their work.

Panellists say social media gives art more outreach, but can also have an ugly side

However, recounting how she has been harassed on social media, she said that the gallery was a safe place as it was not accessible to everyone.

“I use social media to explore the work of artists from across the world and share it with my students. But at the same time, you can get unwanted attention as complete strangers can follow your posts and find out about your activities,” artist Saba Khan said.

Filmmaker and artist Farida Batool explained the wonders of social media thus: “I presented a paper at an international conference and someone live-tweeted it. By the time I finished I had an offer from a publisher. It is fascinating how social media connects you to the world.”

The discussion also moved on to the way that social media was revolutionising the way people thought of and experienced art. User-generated content, greater interactivity and the possibilities of collaboration were also discussed. The concept of online galleries, ones without boundaries and with international connections, was also explored.

Participants also spoke about the implications this new medium had for art educators. Nearly all the panellists were teachers and they revealed that they allowed students to use their phones in classrooms.

But then, the idea of students using their phones to record juries and other closed academic activities did make some of the panellists uncomfortable.

While Ms Hussain said it didn’t bother her, Saba Khan recalled an incident at a university in Lahore and said that the candidness, honesty and frankness that jurors enjoyed before had been affected by the advent of mobile technology.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2016