9.2 New media art

New media art emerged in the late 20th century, blending digital technologies with creative expression. It challenged traditional art forms by incorporating interactivity, digital processes, and ephemeral elements, building on earlier avant-garde movements while embracing new possibilities.

This art form emphasizes audience engagement, often blurring lines between artist, artwork, and viewer. It explores the relationship between humans, technology, and society, raising questions about authorship, materiality, and the preservation of digital works in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Origins of new media art

• Emerged in the late 20th century as a response to rapid technological advancements and the digital revolution
• Represents a significant shift in artistic practices, incorporating digital technologies and interactive elements
• Builds upon earlier avant-garde movements while embracing new forms of expression and audience engagement

Technological advancements in art

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• Integration of computer technology into artistic processes transformed creative possibilities
• Development of digital imaging software enabled new forms of visual manipulation and creation
• Emergence of the internet as a platform for art distribution and collaboration
• Advancements in video technology allowed for more accessible and sophisticated video art production

Influence of digital revolution

• Widespread adoption of personal computers democratized access to digital tools for artists
• Rise of the World Wide Web created new spaces for artistic experimentation and dissemination
• Shift from analog to digital media storage and transmission impacted art creation and preservation
• Emergence of social media platforms provided new avenues for artistic expression and audience interaction

Precursors in avant-garde movements

• Dada movement's emphasis on chance and absurdity influenced early computer-generated art
• Fluxus movement's focus on audience participation and ephemeral experiences foreshadowed interactive digital art
• Conceptual art's prioritization of ideas over physical objects aligned with the intangible nature of digital art
• Kinetic art's exploration of movement and technology laid groundwork for interactive installations

Key characteristics

• New media art challenges traditional notions of authorship, materiality, and permanence in art
• Emphasizes process-based and experiential aspects of art creation and reception
• Explores the relationship between humans, technology, and society through artistic means

Interactivity and participation

• Encourages active engagement from viewers, often requiring physical interaction to complete the artwork
• Utilizes sensors, cameras, and other input devices to respond to audience presence or actions
• Creates immersive environments that blur the line between artist, artwork, and viewer
• Allows for real-time manipulation and customization of artworks by participants

Digital vs analog processes

• Incorporates both digital and analog elements, often juxtaposing or combining the two
• Explores the materiality of digital media through glitches, compression artifacts, and other digital artifacts
• Utilizes digital tools to simulate or reinterpret traditional analog art forms (digital painting, 3D sculpting)
• Examines the differences in perception and experience between digital and physical art objects

Ephemerality and preservation challenges

• Many new media artworks exist only for the duration of their display or performance
• Rapid technological obsolescence poses challenges for long-term preservation of digital artworks
• Requires new approaches to documentation and archiving to capture interactive and time-based elements
• Raises questions about the authenticity and value of digital copies or emulations of original works

Prominent new media artists

• These artists have significantly contributed to the development and recognition of new media art
• Their works exemplify the diverse approaches and techniques within the field
• Many have achieved international recognition and influenced subsequent generations of artists

Nam June Paik's video art

• Pioneered the use of television sets as sculptural and interactive elements in art installations
• Created "Electronic Superhighway" (1995), a large-scale installation mapping the United States with neon and video screens
• Experimented with video synthesizers to manipulate and distort television broadcasts
• Collaborated with classical musicians to create video-based performances and installations

Stelarc's cybernetic performances

• Explores the integration of technology and the human body through performances and prosthetics
• Created "Third Hand" (1980), a mechanical prosthetic arm controlled by electrical signals from his muscles
• Performed "Ping Body" (1996), where his body movements were controlled by internet activity
• Surgically implanted an ear on his forearm as part of his ongoing "Ear on Arm" project (2006-present)

Cory Arcangel's digital manipulations

• Known for modifying video game hardware and software to create new artworks
• Created "Super Mario Clouds" (2002) by hacking a Nintendo cartridge to show only scrolling clouds
• Explores the aesthetics of obsolete technology and digital culture in his works
• Utilizes a wide range of media, including video games, websites, and software-based installations

Forms and techniques

• New media art encompasses a diverse range of artistic practices and technological approaches
• Continually evolves as new technologies and platforms become available to artists
• Often combines multiple forms and techniques within a single artwork or project

Video and digital installations

• Utilize multiple screens or projections to create immersive environments
• Incorporate sensors and interactive elements to respond to viewer presence or actions
• Explore the relationship between physical space and virtual imagery
• Often combine video with other media such as sound, sculpture, or performance

Net art and web-based projects

• Created specifically for online viewing and interaction through web browsers
• Utilize HTML, JavaScript, and other web technologies as artistic mediums
• Explore the aesthetics and culture of the internet and digital communication
• Often incorporate user-generated content or real-time data from online sources

Virtual and augmented reality

• Create immersive, computer-generated environments that users can explore and interact with
• Utilize head-mounted displays or mobile devices to overlay digital content onto the physical world
• Explore concepts of presence, embodiment, and alternative realities
• Combine elements of gaming, storytelling, and visual art to create unique experiences

Theoretical frameworks

• These frameworks provide critical lenses for understanding and analyzing new media art
• Reflect broader cultural and technological shifts in contemporary society
• Inform artistic practices and curatorial approaches to new media art

Post-internet art discourse

• Examines art created in the context of ubiquitous internet connectivity and digital culture
• Explores how online experiences and digital aesthetics influence offline art production
• Considers the blurring of boundaries between virtual and physical spaces in contemporary art
• Analyzes the impact of social media and digital platforms on artistic creation and dissemination

Media archaeology approach

• Investigates the historical development and cultural impact of media technologies
• Examines obsolete or forgotten media forms to understand their influence on contemporary practices
• Explores the materiality and technical specificities of different media
• Challenges linear narratives of technological progress in favor of cyclical or recursive models

Posthumanism and new media

• Examines the relationship between humans, technology, and the environment in the digital age
• Explores the potential for technology to extend or transform human capabilities and consciousness
• Considers the ethical implications of human-machine hybridization and artificial intelligence
• Challenges traditional notions of human subjectivity and agency in relation to technological systems

Institutional reception

• The integration of new media art into traditional art institutions has presented both opportunities and challenges
• Reflects broader shifts in cultural attitudes towards technology and digital culture
• Requires new approaches to curation, conservation, and audience engagement

Museums adapting to new media

• Development of specialized departments and curatorial positions for new media art
• Creation of dedicated spaces for digital and interactive installations within museums
• Implementation of new technologies for audience engagement and interpretation (mobile apps, AR guides)
• Collaboration with technology companies and research institutions to support new media projects

Challenges in collecting digital art

• Issues of technological obsolescence and the need for ongoing maintenance of digital artworks
• Development of new acquisition models for software-based and internet-dependent works
• Considerations of authenticity and originality in infinitely reproducible digital media
• Creation of new documentation and preservation strategies for ephemeral and interactive works

New media art festivals and events

• Emergence of specialized festivals focusing on digital art, electronic music, and new media (Ars Electronica, Transmediale)
• Creation of temporary exhibition spaces and pop-up events to showcase experimental works
• Development of online platforms and virtual exhibitions for presenting web-based and digital art
• Integration of workshops, talks, and performances to engage audiences with new media practices

Cultural impact

• New media art has significantly influenced contemporary culture and artistic practices
• Reflects and shapes societal attitudes towards technology and digital communication
• Challenges traditional notions of artistic production, distribution, and reception

Democratization of art creation

• Increased accessibility of digital tools and software for artistic production
• Rise of user-generated content platforms enabling wider participation in creative practices
• Development of open-source software and collaborative online communities for artists
• Emergence of new funding models such as crowdfunding for independent art projects

Blurring of art and technology

• Increased collaboration between artists, scientists, and technologists on interdisciplinary projects
• Integration of artistic practices into technology research and development (artist residencies in tech companies)
• Exploration of the aesthetic and cultural implications of emerging technologies (AI, biotechnology)
• Development of new hybrid disciplines combining art, design, and technology (creative coding, data visualization)

Social media as artistic platform

• Use of social media platforms as spaces for artistic experimentation and performance
• Creation of artworks specifically designed for dissemination through social networks
• Exploration of the aesthetics and culture of social media in traditional art forms
• Development of new forms of online curation and exhibition through social media channels

Critical debates

• These debates reflect broader concerns about the role of technology in society and culture
• Challenge traditional notions of artistic value, authorship, and materiality
• Inform policy decisions and institutional practices related to new media art

Authenticity in digital reproduction

• Questions the concept of originality in infinitely reproducible digital media
• Explores the role of the artist's intent and process in determining authenticity
• Examines the impact of digital copies and emulations on the art market and collecting practices
• Considers the relationship between physical artifacts and digital representations in art

Copyright issues in new media

• Challenges traditional copyright models in the context of collaborative and remixed digital works
• Explores alternative licensing models such as Creative Commons for digital art distribution
• Examines the legal implications of appropriation and sampling in digital art practices
• Considers the impact of artificial intelligence and generative algorithms on artistic authorship

Technological obsolescence concerns

• Addresses the challenges of preserving and accessing artworks dependent on outdated technologies
• Explores strategies for emulation and migration of digital artworks to new platforms
• Examines the aesthetic and conceptual implications of technological decay and obsolescence in art
• Considers the role of documentation and archiving in preserving ephemeral and interactive works

Future directions

• These emerging trends reflect ongoing technological developments and cultural shifts
• Explore new possibilities for artistic expression and audience engagement
• Raise important ethical and philosophical questions about the nature of art and creativity

Artificial intelligence in art

• Development of AI-generated artworks and creative collaborations between humans and machines
• Exploration of machine learning algorithms for image and text generation in artistic contexts
• Examination of the ethical implications of AI authorship and creativity
• Integration of AI technologies into interactive installations and responsive environments

Blockchain and NFTs

• Use of blockchain technology to create and authenticate digital artworks
• Emergence of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as a new model for selling and collecting digital art
• Exploration of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) for funding and managing art projects
• Examination of the environmental impact and sustainability of blockchain-based art practices

Bioart and genetic manipulation

• Integration of biotechnology and genetic engineering techniques into artistic practices
• Creation of living artworks using genetically modified organisms or tissue cultures
• Exploration of the ethical and philosophical implications of manipulating life for artistic purposes
• Examination of the relationship between natural and artificial life in the context of new media art