Criticism in the Digital Age
A passionate panel of international and local arts critics debate the nature – and future – of arts criticism, right now.
While we find new ways to respond to the art around us, what’s happening to formal criticism? As the digital world sees traditional publications dwindle, and self-published opinions proliferate, arts criticism finds itself in a precarious position. The new landscape might be more democratic, but what does it mean for criticism as a profession? Has the critic become an endangered species?
Moderator Katrina Sedgwick leads the discussion with guests Alice Rawsthorn (UK), Yun-Cheol Kim (Korea), Deborah Jones, Jane Howard and Dylan Rainforth.
There’s much more to it: visit Criticism Now to explore more ideas about criticism.
Who?
Jane Howard
Jane Howard is a contributing editor at Kill Your Darlings, and a freelance arts journalist, critic and researcher with a focus on performance. Her work has appeared in publications including ABC Arts Online, RealTime, Meanjin and Junkee, and her experimental criticism projects have been supported by organisations including the Lifted Brow and the Performance and Art Development Agency.
Alice Rawsthorn
Alice Rawsthorn is an internationally renowned design critic, whose columns for the International New York Times are syndicated worldwide.
Yun-Cheol Kim
Dr Yun-Cheol Kim is a professor at School of Drama, Korean National University of the Arts. He is president of the International Association of Theatre Critics.
Deborah Jones
Deborah Jones retired from the Australian newspaper last year after 25 years as a writer, critic and editor working primarily in the arts. She was also executive editor for five years.
Dylan Rainforth
Dylan Rainforth is the editor of Art Guide Australia. He also writes a weekly visual art column for the Age newspaper and contributes to a range of Australian art magazines and journals.
Katrina Sedgwick
Katrina Sedgwick is the director and CEO of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Previously, she has been the head of arts for ABC TV and ABC Arts online, and the founding director and CEO of the Adelaide Film Festival.
