Art and 20th Century Technology

Art and 20th Century Technology

When asked to think of a kind of 20th century technology, the majority of people today would automatically picture the computer. The computer has surpassed all other types of machines before it. In approximately two decades, the computer has managed to contact almost every aspect of our lives. From small businesses who rely on PCs to Macintosh's famous Apples for students to promote computers in the classroom. Much of our lives have been recorded somehow on computer databases somewhere. Bank accounts, hospital records, and tax records are all kept on databases in the computer. Computers and computer programs have allowed for improvements in telematics, robotics and have allowed for the development of the CAD (Computer Aided Drafting ) program for architects. This machine has also invaded the artistic world.

Artists in today's society are confronted with many choices in what they create. One must choose between from various subject matters in the world and must decide choose from the many different types of media available to the artist. One such media that has caused controversy within the art world is the use of computers and other such electronic devices in the creation of art. With the addition of this new technology comes greater opportunities for the artist to express himself.

In Nicholas Kurti's essay, "Science and Technology: Blessing or Curse to the Arts?," he points out that the dictionary definition of art is "the conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements that affect the sense of beauty." This is the accepted definition of all art, including music, dance and the visual arts. He goes on to reiterate the fact that art is interactive...

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...ed sites that display their work for millions to see. Some artists have set up sites that are basically virtual art galleries where they can sell their work. Other artists have taken the web further and have actually designed their web site to be a work of art. By simply choosing typing art into any web search engine, an individual can be linked to hundreds of sites that somehow deal with the art world, museum and gallery sites, individual artists' sites, even art educational facilities have created and maintained visually pleasing web sites. In fact, web design in itself has become a graphic art form and well-designed web pages are praised all over the web.

Sources:

Both the Nicholas Kurti and Rene Berger comments and ideas may be found in the book Art and Technology edited by Rene Berger and Lloyd Eby, a Paragon House Publishers book out of New York in 1986.