The art and tech worlds, often perceived as separate, are becoming increasingly intertwined via major art world players (Christie’s Art + Tech Conference) and new platforms (Avant Arte, DALL-E).

The explosion of AI has also raised questions about how to wield a tool that threatens jobs in some creative industries. Against this backdrop, it’s never been a better time to look at what artists and tech entrepreneurs might have in common. Do they share a vision of the world? Do they face the same challenges?

Iteration, Experimentation and Creativity: Putting Passion to Work

When we think of artists, the word creativity is usually the first to pop to mind. Creativity is usually applied to entrepreneurs under the the guise of ‘innovative’. Isn’t all innovation driven by a form of creativity?

When entering last year’s Mark Rothko retrospective at Paris’s Fondation Louis Vuitton, you would be surprised by the first room of the exhibition. Rothko’s early figurative style is a far cry from the monumental abstract works Rothko is famous for. It is only later the visitor sees the beginnings of his turn from figuration to abstraction.

Turning to new forms of painting are a crucial part of any artist’s career. This process of struggling, drafting (MVP for the techies), experimenting, failing and starting over are key skills for both artists and tech entrepreneurs. These transitional works of Rothko are reminders for tech entrepreneurs to continue iterating and pivoting until finding the right fit. Embracing the risk of experimentation can bring breakthroughs.