Technology: Mediating the Artist's Experience

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines "art" as the conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of aesthetic objects. Not limited to pencil, paint or paper- today's artists can now express themselves in new ways with the use of new modern-day technology.

Besides the obvious photo modifying programs (IPhoto, Photoshop) the computer offers a way in which to publish an artist's work at no cost; rapidly and effectively. Today's generation of youth is extremely dependent on the internet; sites like YouTube and online blog’s creating a global network of ideas and emotions.

As students participating in Professor Packer’s Multimedia Art lecture, we were invited to participate in an online blog; containing a situational tour of an act of civil disobedience. Living in the heart of our country’s political system, there were plenty of excited protestors on March 19^th to photograph for the project. Emotions flew and with tool in hand (my camera)- I was able to collect what I felt best portrayed the protest in its moment.

As we uploaded our photos into the computer, I contemplated what the essence of the project was. What was this inspiring within us? Reflecting back to how I felt leaving the Wednesday morning protests, I was sure of one thing. Whether we as national population can unite together, making changes necessary to move forward or not- that moment I truly felt like these people had the power to inflict their voices upon the mighty.

It was this epitome that encouraged me to emphasize the color in my pictures. Here, technology (IPhoto) allowed me to alter the contrast, color, sharpness, and crop accordingly where I wanted my audience to focus. With these tools I could change the way I portrayed my work.

However, drawing and painting should not be dismissed as uncreative. With drawing and standard-conventional art we are allowed to express feeling and emotions as well- yet with computer technology we are able to add an extra sense of creativity. Maybe this creativity evolves from taking the original piece and adding our own personal spin (Macintosh commercial versus Obama Ad), or possibly the ability to change facial features with a click and paste. In a blog for example, visional pieces can be emphasized with meaningful quotes, poems or narrative/prose.

As I previously mentioned in my first post, “Living in a constantly modernizing world, the computer has helped the individual with promoting their work easily and rapidly. The facility and accessibility one has to the computer has allowed artists to share their work at international and low-cost level. Laurie Anderson stated, "As these two life forms – human and machine – begin to merge a little bit, we're talking about technology really as a kind of new nature, something to measure ourselves against, to make rules from, to investigate." Agreed- the computer as a multimedia medium has no doubt allowed artists to express themselves indefinitely, and will continue to do so in the near and far future.”

Situational Tour: IRS Under Protest

8 am.
cold air. fresh. welcoming
security is set
cnn. abc. cbs
cameras ready
where are the people

a sense of order exists
preparation for chaos
walkie-talkies buzz
bystanders look on

code pink arrives
an umbrella
a pillow
markers
the ritual has begun

"i miss america"

dressed all in pink
chants.
money for jobs and education
not for war and occupation

let me sing you a tune
the melody plays
banners are up
music uniting the people

authority speaks
move
peacefully, quietly
this is called freedom?

no justice
no peace
us out
of the middle east

the dividing wall
authority vs. ideology
caution it says
listen to us speak

jump the fence
hands bound
sacrifice
she believes

angst and emotion
money where?
get
out
now.

captured.
pointed hands
this is what democracy looks like
that is what hypocrisy looks like
passioned voices

speak
hands raised
fight authority
unite

traffic passes
think reflect
can we make a difference
activate

dissatisfaction
masked Bush
clamor fills the air
people move to beat

band plays
the captured are taken
one event ends
while the next begins

Our Fifth Year in Iraq: DC Protestors Take to the Streets

Wednesday, March 19th will mark the United States fifth year of occupation in Iraq-and it will not be a day for celebration.

Protesters will take to the streets; particularly well known activist group "War Resisters League". The open invitation to participate will begin approximately at 8 am. on the steps of the Internal Revenue Service Building located across from the National Mall.

View Larger Map

The protesters hope to blockade the IRS and keep it from opening, encouraging passerby to consider where their money is actually going. Awareness to war funding and our collective responsibility to the current situation will be shared as well.

The following four terms, ideology, security, authority and ritual, are related to the IRS protest in such that it is why the protest is occurring, who will be there to moderate the event, and what the most effective measures will be that are worth taking. The protesters are engaging individually and as a unit because of certain ideals and beliefs; and as some will be very passionate about these beliefs- security measures must be taken. The idea of ritual is present in such that the people of this country have and still are today, willing to voice what they feel is important. Past effective tactics may have become "ritual" in a sense that security expects certain responses from the protesters as events continue to occur.

Photographs of this event will hopefully capture in picture, why these people will be outside doing what they are doing. "Actions speak great words"- and to capture the moments that contribute to such a controversial and emotional subject will be incredible. I also hope to photograph the background/setting of the event, and as well focus on both sides of the protest: both security and protesters.

The Computer: The Artist's New Asset

Today we can blog, e-mail and photoshop in the blink of an eye. Created in the early 1940's, the machine first inspired by the minds of Vannever Bush and Douglas Engelbert has since then come a very long way. Artists are now able to use the computer to alter and depict their work in ways apart from traditional artistic media.
For example, the YouTube video supporting Barack Obama was clearly based off the original piece of digital media we had viewed. However, the artist was able to capture an entirely different message for its audience with essentially the same video as seen in the Apple commercial ; small tweaks here and there.

"Apple's Original Macintosh Commercial"



"Vote Different"

Living in a constantly modernizing world, the computer has also helped the individual with promoting their work easily and rapidly. For example, Blog sites for web discussion, MySpace for music, and YouTube for videos. The facility and accessibility one has to the computer has allowed artists to share their work at international and low-cost level. Laurie Anderson stated, "As these two life forms – human and machine – begin to merge a little bit, we're talking about technology really as a kind of new nature, something to measure ourselves against, to make rules from, to investigate." Agreed- the computer as a multimedia medium has no doubt allowed artists to express themselves indefinitely, and will continue to do so in the near and far future.