The world of contemporary art has seen a transformative year in 2024, with Art Basel and other major fairs setting the stage for bold statements and innovative directions.

This year’s exhibitions have embraced themes of environmental consciousness, digital evolution, and cultural diversity, reflecting the complexities of our era. In this article, we’ll explore the standout trends of the 2024 art season and highlight artists who are shaping the future of art.

One of the most notable trends at Art Basel this year was the emphasis on sustainability - recycled, or biodegradable materials.

Art has become a powerful medium for climate activism, as artists confront audiences with the realities of climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.

Eco-conscious pieces by artists like Olafur Eliasson and Claudia Comte drew considerable attention, transforming spaces with installations that capture nature’s beauty while provoking reflection on ecological issues.

Eliasson’s work featured recycled materials and organic shapes, while Comte’s installation - made with wood sourced from sustainably managed forests - took audiences through an immersive experience of texture, sound, and color.

The trend not only highlights artists’ social responsibility but also speaks to a growing demand among collectors for art that aligns with their own environmental values.

After the initial hype of NFTs and digital art in 2021-2022, the digital art market found a more balanced place within the art world in 2024. This year’s Art Basel saw an integration of digital art that felt more sophisticated, with galleries and artists moving beyond the gimmick of digital tokens.

Digital works were seamlessly incorporated into installations, blurring the lines between physical and digital, and underscoring art’s evolving relationship with technology.

Renowned digital artists like Refik Anadol and Pak made waves with pieces that marry technology with traditional art forms. Anadol’s mesmerizing AI-generated visuals, presented on large, immersive screens, captivated audiences and showcased how artificial intelligence can contribute to artistic creativity.

Pak, on the other hand, continues to push the envelope of blockchain-based art, exploring themes of ownership, identity, and the nature of art itself.

These works resonated particularly with younger collectors and tech-savvy audiences, many of whom are increasingly interested in expanding their collections into the digital realm.

Diversity was a dominant theme at this year’s fairs, as artists from underrepresented communities took to the spotlight. Art Basel and its satellite fairs featured a wide array of works by artists from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, bringing voices and perspectives that have historically been marginalized.

This emphasis on cultural diversity has opened doors for collectors and audiences to engage with global narratives, creating a richer, more inclusive art world.

Highlighting this trend, African artists such as Amoako Boafo and Zanele Muholi displayed works that emphasize identity and social commentary. Boafo’s striking portraits, celebrating Black identity, garnered attention for their vibrant colors and intimate portrayal of everyday life.

Muholi’s photographs, on the other hand, delve into themes of gender and sexual identity, confronting viewers with stories of resilience and empowerment.

The focus on diverse voices is reshaping the art market, not only in terms of who is being showcased but also in the kinds of stories that are being told through art.

Art Basel 2024 continued to blur the boundaries between viewer and art, with experiential installations that encourage interaction and immersion.

This trend, often referred to as “experiential art,” allows audiences to feel like participants rather than mere observers. The goal is to create a personal connection with the artwork, inviting audiences to step into the artist’s world.

One of the standout examples of this trend was presented by teamLab, a Tokyo-based digital art collective known for its large-scale interactive installations. Their work at Art Basel created an immersive, digital environment where audiences could move through an ever-evolving space of lights, colors, and sounds.

Similarly, Yayoi Kusama’s latest “Infinity Room” captivated audiences with its seemingly endless mirrors, reflecting a blend of whimsy and introspection.

These immersive experiences speak to a larger cultural shift toward experiential and interactive entertainment, which has impacted everything from art galleries to the retail sector.

While technology and digital art are transforming the contemporary art scene, there’s also a notable resurgence in traditional techniques. Many artists at Art Basel are revisiting painting, sculpture, and ceramics, blending age-old methods with contemporary themes.

This “new classicism” trend highlights a return to craftsmanship and tactile beauty, appealing to collectors who appreciate the skill and patience involved in traditional art forms.

Emerging artists like Cristina Iglesias are combining metalworking with natural themes, creating sculptures that mimic organic landscapes.

Similarly, painter Tschabalala Self uses textiles and mixed media to create large, intricate portraits that celebrate individuality and cultural heritage.

This revival is especially appealing to collectors looking for unique, timeless pieces that feel rooted in history yet relevant to the present.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have not only influenced digital art but have also become tools in more traditional art forms. Algorithmic art - art created using code or AI algorithms - emerged as a significant force at this year’s Art Basel.

This trend isn’t limited to the digital space; many artists are using AI-generated patterns and shapes to inspire physical sculptures, paintings, and even textiles.

Artists on aiartists.org like Sofia Crespo are exploring the intersection of biology and technology, using algorithms to generate surrealistic imagery that resembles microscopic life forms.

Crespo’s [Wiki] work challenges viewers to consider the boundaries between nature and machine, offering a glimpse into a future where AI serves as a creative partner rather than a tool. This trend underscores the art world’s openness to experimentation, pushing traditional concepts of authorship and creativity.

Reflecting a broader cultural shift, today’s collectors are increasingly drawn to purpose-driven art - pieces that address social, political, and environmental issues. This shift reflects the growing desire for art that resonates beyond aesthetics, capturing the zeitgeist and prompting reflection.

Art Basel 2024 underscored this trend, with many galleries exhibiting works that engage with pressing issues such as climate change, inequality, and mental health.

One powerful example was Ai Weiwei’s latest installation, which explores themes of displacement and human rights through a haunting display of found objects. By drawing on universal human experiences, Ai’s work resonated with a diverse audience, underscoring art’s power to provoke dialogue and foster empathy.

Mark Derho is a seasoned expert in the Internet industry with over 25 years of experience in NYC's software development, digital marketing, and advertising sectors. A certified Google Partner, Mark specializes in content creation, AI chatbot development, open-source software, modern website design, and SEO/SEM marketing. He leads PR Website Agency and lives in Puerto Rico with his dog, Luno.