Digital Art and Philosophy

Melanie SwanShe’s Geeky, Mountain View CA, Jan 2013

http://www.MelanieSwan.com/PCAhttp://www.slideshare.net/lablogga

Image: Emese Szorenyi

"Every culture will use the maximum level of technology available to it to make art" - Scott Draves, Generative Artist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0OK1GiI83s2

What is Digital Art?

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What is Digital Art? ‘Official’ Definitions

• “Digital art is anything involving computers and art such as using a computer to create art or digitized art displays” – EB Boyd

• “Digital art is using new technologies for the digital, computer-based composition, display, and reproduction of images and sounds” – Katherine Thomson-Jones

• “Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process” – Christiane Paul

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What is [regular] Art?

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Classic definition(s) of art

• “Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture” – Wikipedia

• Art “…is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity.” – Leo Tolstoy

• “Art is a discovery and development of elementary principles of nature into beautiful forms suitable for human use.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

• “Art is not a thing — it is a way.” - Elbert Hubbard

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What is Digital Art?

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What is Digital Art?

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What is Digital Art?

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What is Digital Art?

Social network visualization of voting patterns of U. S. Senators during 2007

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What is Digital Art?

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What is Digital Art?

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What is Digital Art?

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What Philosophical Issues arise with Digital Art?

• What is art? • Why does art matter? • How does art engage us? • How does digital art change

our notions of– Identity– Performance– Interactivity– Creativity

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Philosophy of Digital Art• “The virtual image lacks any material

autonomy of its own and is dependent on the activity of the [viewer’s] body-brain [for its existence” – Mark Hansen

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Philosophy of Art

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Digital Art and PhilosophyThank you!!!

Melanie SwanShe’s Geeky, Mountain View CA, Jan 2013

http://www.MelanieSwan.com/PCAhttp://www.slideshare.net/lablogga

Image: Emese Szorenyi