1.1 Defining digital art and its characteristics

Digital art blends creativity with technology, using computers and software to make unique pieces. It's easy to copy and change, letting artists work in new ways. But saving digital art for the future can be tricky.

Digital art comes in many forms, from computer-made images to interactive installations. It mixes different art types and often needs special tech to view. As technology grows, so do the ways artists can make and share their digital creations.

Digital Art Characteristics

Unique Properties of Digital Art

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  "Amaze", Digital Art Installation at... © David Dixon :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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  "Amaze", Digital Art Installation at... © David Dixon :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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Top images from around the web for Unique Properties of Digital Art

• 

  "Amaze", Digital Art Installation at... © David Dixon :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  "Amaze", Digital Art Installation at... © David Dixon :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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• Digital art utilizes digital technologies (computers, tablets, smartphones) for creation, manipulation, and presentation
• Easily replicated, modified, and distributed without quality loss
• Non-linear creation process allows multiple iterations and reversible changes through layers and history states
• Incorporates interactivity enabling viewers to engage with and potentially alter artwork in real-time
• Originality concept differs from traditional art due to existence of multiple identical copies

Interdisciplinary Nature and Preservation Challenges

• Blurs lines between artistic disciplines by combining visual art, sound, motion, and programming elements
• Preservation presents unique challenges requiring consideration of:
  • File formats
  • Hardware obsolescence
  • Digital degradation
• Display methods differ from traditional art forms
  • May require specific hardware or software to view
  • Can be presented on various digital platforms (websites, apps, virtual galleries)

Types of Digital Art

Computer-Generated and 2D Digital Art

• Computer-generated imagery (CGI) encompasses:
  • 3D modeling
  • Rendering
  • Animation techniques
• Used in film, video games, and standalone artworks
• Digital painting creates 2D images using software simulating traditional techniques
  • Often utilizes pressure-sensitive tablets for natural feel
  • Examples include digital illustrations, concept art, and matte paintings
• Digital photography and photo manipulation involve:
  • Capturing images with digital cameras
  • Editing and enhancing using image processing software (Adobe Photoshop, GIMP)
  • Techniques include compositing, color grading, and retouching

Interactive and Generative Art Forms

• Interactive installations combine digital technology with physical spaces
  • Allow viewer engagement through sensors, projections, or other input methods
  • Examples include responsive light sculptures or gesture-controlled displays
• Generative art uses algorithms and computational processes to create content
  • Results in unique, evolving artworks
  • Can produce visual or auditory output
  • Examples include fractal art or music generated by AI
• Net art (internet art) created specifically for online platforms
  • Utilizes web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, WebGL)
  • Often addresses themes of connectivity and digital culture
  • Examples include interactive web experiences or social media-based projects
• Virtual and augmented reality art creates immersive experiences
  • Overlays digital content onto physical world (AR)
  • Generates entirely virtual environments (VR)
  • Examples include VR art galleries or AR-enhanced public sculptures

Technology in Digital Art

Creation and Display Tools

• Digital art creation tools enable complex works with precision and efficiency
  • Graphic design software (Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer)
  • 3D modeling programs (Blender, Maya)
  • Digital audio workstations (Ableton Live, FL Studio)
• Display technologies offer unique presentation possibilities
  • High-resolution screens
  • Projectors
  • Holographic displays
• Open-source software and collaborative platforms facilitate:
  • Community-driven development of digital art tools
  • Collaborative art projects across geographical boundaries
  • Examples include Krita for digital painting or Processing for creative coding

Dissemination and Storage Technologies

• Internet and social media platforms revolutionize art dissemination
  • Allow artists to reach global audiences instantly
  • Bypass traditional gatekeepers (galleries, publishers)
  • Platforms include Instagram, DeviantArt, and ArtStation
• Cloud storage changes how digital art is stored and accessed
  • Enables easy backup and sharing of large files
  • Facilitates collaboration on projects
• Blockchain technologies introduce new concepts for digital art
  • NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) establish digital ownership and scarcity
  • Smart contracts automate royalties and resale rights
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning emerge as tools and creators
  • AI-assisted art generation (DALL-E, Midjourney)
  • Autonomous AI art creation raising questions about authorship and creativity
• Rapid technological evolution introduces new possibilities
  • Challenges artists to adapt and innovate with emerging tools
  • Examples include real-time ray tracing for hyper-realistic rendering or brain-computer interfaces for direct thought-to-image creation