Nostalgia

Paradoxically, much surreal digital art uses a vintage, nostalgic, or classical art aesthetic.

I believe there could be several reasons for this:

1. It roots the viewer/artist in something comfortable and known
   1. The greatest fear is of the unknown and unfamiliar
   2. Using new tools and creating something completely new and in new styles is uncomfortable, and likely the result will be failure and rejection
2. Advertising and film tends to use more contemporary and realist aesthetics
   1. Vintage and classical aesthetics is a way of differentiating artwork from those attempting to hawk their wares on you
3. Abstract painting has become the realm of corporate art
4. Contemporary art is more influenced by Dada and Marcel Duchamp
5. Pretty, unthinking landscapes is the realm of corporate art (and your aunt Mertle’s souvenirs from her vacations.)
6. By being both faux vintage and futuristic it creates and interesting paradox that makes something larger than life

Or, maybe it just looks cool