artinformed

Artinformed is a term used to describe a cross-disciplinary approach that treats artworks and information as interdependent in the production, circulation, and interpretation of art. It emphasizes how data, sources, curatorial narratives, and audience reception shape understanding of art objects and practices. The concept emerged in art criticism and digital humanities in the 2010s as scholars and practitioners began to pair critical analysis with information-literacy practices.

Scope and aims include curatorial projects, educational programs, critical essays, and digital platforms that document art histories, collect provenance data, analyze representation, and visualize networks of influence. Projects may link artist-led initiatives with open data, encourage transparency in sourcing and methods, and foster audience engagement through participatory workflows.

Principles central to artinformed include transparency of data sources, reproducibility of analysis, collaboration across disciplines, accessibility of materials, and inclusivity in representation. It seeks to counter information asymmetries in the art world by making process and context legible, enabling more informed interpretation and critique.

Practices associated with artinformed range from data-informed exhibitions and open catalogs to interactive installations and online dashboards that map relationships between artists, institutions, and works. It also encompasses pedagogy that teaches how information practices affect interpretation and how to assess evidence in art criticism and history.

Reception of the term is varied; some critics view it as a broad umbrella, while others see it as a useful frame for reflective, transparent practice rather than a purely technocratic approach. See also information literacy, data visualization, digital humanities, curatorial studies, and art criticism.