Information InFiltration. Tech<=>art<=>tactical<=>media<=>culture++

front page???E.A.Dobbsreview-a-rama
secret room upstairsFilterItYourselfwhatever
Sort:
Display:
I'd Like to teach the World to Sing (via New Media Conference #5,844) | 5 comments
[new] (I have no cleaver title, just a response) (Avg. Score: none / Raters: 0) (#3)
by Rachel Beth Egenhoefer on Sun May 25th, 2003 at 02:48:38 PM EURODISCORDIA TIME
(User Info)

I understand that many of these disciplines have no desire to be apart or discuss with the larger "art group" but rather are turning to fields such as computer science, programming, software, etc. My concern is with the integration of technology into the art world. I am frustrated with the ignorance in viewing such works or the immediate dismissal attitude of "Oh my gosh, this work involves a computer, I don't understand, I can't even attempt to engage with it." However, on the flip side I can understand the reason this position has come about when no one is offering a Coke (so to speak) but rather a technology spectacle which requires it's own foreign language developed at a conference of technological masturbation.

I don't think "new media conferences" are pointless, I just think they need to be reevaluated as to what their content is, in the same way I feel new media art needs to reevaluate what it's content is. (Enough with the hyper self-reflexive technology spectacles.)

For things like software art to exist in the art world it requires a language that is not understood by most. The reason for this (I believe) is that most "technology driven" art is self reflexive in it's nature. Works about technology, using an overload of technology, without further exploring any content.

When database art is made from a database about databases it leaves little room as an entry point for those not up to par with database or "new media" lingo. Often (but YES, not always) there seems to be an obvious question over looked, what is the content of the database/software/etc.?

It's the same thing as making a painting about paint. To someone who doesn't paint or know anything about paint we can look at is and say "oh this is pretty", but that's about it, it has no deeper conceptual, aesthetic, or ideological level for us to engage with. What I am trying to propose here is that the reason many people in the big bad "art world" can not engage with such new media works is that many of these works too are sitting on the pretty surface level of shiny new technology.

So instead of holding another conference with "<insert the name of your favorite database here> power point presentations" or "<insert the latest new technological invention here> panel discussion" or the "is new media new break out session", why not start looking at these things as tools to create content that can reach beyond its inner circle. (whether your reaching towards the "art world" or "culture at large" or across the dinner table.)


[ Parent ]


I'd Like to teach the World to Sing (via New Media Conference #5,844) | 5 comments
Sort:
Display:

Menu


[- CREATE ACCOUNT
so you can post & vote!

[- how to post and vote
[- faq (discordia q&a)
[- faq en español
[- search
[- send feedback

[- sick of english?
[- multi-lingual babelfilter

Login


[- Username
[- Password


Make new account >>

Stories, articles, images and comments are owned by the Author. The Rest © 2003 The Discordants under the Gnu Public License

submit story | create account | faq | search