When it comes to art, there are a seemingly endless amount of web content for almost anything. Social media and other instant access platforms let artists connect to fans and consumers in ways that were previously unimagined. And in an age that seems to bring artists and their audiences closer together, especially as public art becomes an increasingly global phenomenon, websites are becoming important hubs of thoughtful curation, critique, and publicizing.
Colossal is one such website, a place where artists and artist lovers can go to check out cool and unique art projects, read interesting pieces of what’s happening in the art scene, and check out interviews and profiles of some of the best and most up-and-coming artists in the world.
Launched in August 2010 by Christopher Jobson, Colossal was founded on the idea that visual culture can be interrogated in many different ways, and should be approached with an enthusiasm and interest that takes all of its subjects seriously. Art in its many forms is discussed, including scientific approaches to visual art alongside blogs and profiles that make the discussion around art an important aspect of consuming it.
One of the aspects that makes Colossal an amazing website is its breadth of content. In a world where increasingly niche markets are springing up, and with them niche interests, Colossal takes the stance that art is interrelated and, as a result, should be seen in many different ways and formats. To this end, the website splits up its content according to style, including art, design, photography, illustration, and craft. Other kinds of artistic projects that don’t quite fit into these categories are highlighted as well in their own section, creating a space that celebrates groundbreaking, rule-bending approaches to art.
Since its inception, Colossal has gained a reputation for its thoughtful and carefully curated content. Ted Talks labelled one of 2013’s “100 Websites You Should Know and Use,” while the National Endowment for the Arts praised the site as a “must read.” Even celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris love it. The How I Met Your Mother star called it “artistic, smart, and inspiring.”
Colossal proves that art is more than an isolated topic, and rather something that intersects with the every day in important and meaningful ways. The ways in which we consume art are multifaceted, including a growing amount of scientific work dedicated to how humans and art interact, and looking at works through different lenses enable audiences to create more meaningful experiences, connect with art in new ways, and develop a deeper appreciation for many different kinds of artistic endeavours. Whether it’s a series of photographs from New York or a group of mural paintings somewhere in distant lands, websites like Colossal prove that there is a lot of important things happening in art, and that those things are worthy of thoughtful and insightful conversations.
