Resistance to Technology As an Art Form

Art forms, infused with technology are taking over the present art world. They bring something very different to the forefront of what has happened in art, especially in comparison to traditional forms of art. These new forms of art are defying the traditional definitions of art, and in turn, are being resisted by some who are unsure if this technology is pushing the boundaries too far. Some are even uncertain if these new forms should be considered art. They are taking into consideration the loss of authenticity, the challenge to traditional art settings, and the changes to the creative process, and the ways in which technology has altered these concepts completely. Many think these notions make art what it is. Turning the tables around, and looking at technology as an art form presents a whole new perspective. You dive into the idea that technology as an art form is still art, even though it challenges the traditional ideals.

When artists began integrating technology into their work, many people were uncertain if this was a good idea. These new art forms seemed like too much of a change to the traditional way of creating, displaying and thinking about art. One of the defining aspects of art had always been its authenticity. Traditional artwork, such as paintings and sculptures are authentic, and one of a kind. It is the exact interpretation of the artist's feelings, as it is the genuine piece of art created by the artist. This idea of authenticity can be described as the "aura" of art. Walter Benjamin explains aura as something you experience, if, for example, you think of yourself "resting on a summer afternoon, you follow with your eyes a mountain range on the horizon or a branch which casts its shadow over you, you experience the aura of those mountains, of that branch," (Benjamin, II). With advances in technology, dating back to before even photography had emerged; work was no longer limited to a particular place. It now had the ability to be shared by everyone. This sharing of art, at a much larger scale, defies the traditional idea that art should be authentic.

Not only is technologically integrated artwork a challenge to authenticity, it is a challenge to the museums and galleries as well. Photography is one thing, as it has the ability to be displayed on the walls of the museums and galleries, but when artists started to move even further, into digital art projects, it made things increasingly difficult for traditional art settings. First, many current digital art projects only show what it is they are trying to show, with audience incorporation. These projects "often require audience engagement and do not reveal their content at a glance," (Paul, 7). The traditional concept of the museum or a gallery was to display artwork, and to share the artist's intent up front. These digital projects rebel against tradition, and require the audience to participate. Second, the artwork needs to be looked after constantly, and "require constant maintenance," (Paul), as many pieces are interactive. Conventional work does not require constant maintenance. It is just there to be viewed, unlike digital projects that are there to be engaged with. This engagement causes strain on the project, and needs that extra safeguarding. Lastly, museums and galleries are not equipped to present such new forms of art, as "museum buildings are mostly based on the 'white cube' model rather than being completely wired and equipped with flexible presentation systems," (Paul, 8). These advances in technology, and its integration into art have not only changed the way we look at art, but it has changed the way in which we display it. Changes need to be made to traditional art settings, and many are not in favour of such changes.

Along with the challenge to arts authenticity, and its ability to be displayed, the way in which it is prepared is also being questioned. The traditional art forms were very concrete: painting, sculpture, and forms of that nature. They are created by hand, with the help of simple tools, individually or possibly collaboratively. Digital art forms are very different, as they are created through technology, by technology. Whether its photography, film, or interactive art, they are all created using some sort of technological being. As "technology keeps developing rapidly and becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives," (Paul, 24), many are concerned that with such technological advances, we are losing one of the key components in the creation of art. Traditionally art was something created exclusively by people, without major technological instruments. The technological changes occurring are skewing this idea. Many even believe technology is making it too easy to create, as it allows for "elements to be blended more seamlessly," (Paul, 31). This concerns us, that we will lose this sense of being creative, if we have something doing everything for us.

With the previous ideas taken into consideration, does art need to follow such conventional ideas? Is it possible for new forms to go against such characteristics, and still be considered art? Art, motivated by intentional, conscious actions on the part of the artist, is meant to convey a specific emotion, bring about political change, to criticize an aspect of society, and to explore personal psychology. Digital art, just as any traditional art forms, does just that. It is not a necessity for it to follow such conventions, as it still attempts to convey a message, and bring about certain changes to the way of seeing the world, and interpreting it. If you dive further into what technology brings to art, you can see clearly, technologically infused art work is art.

Art is meant to be showcased. The term aura, as described by Walter Benjamin, depicts exactly how everyone in the past perceived art, before technological art forms. Art had always been defined by "its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be," (Benjamin, II). According to Walter Benjamin, this is not the case, if anything, technological art forms "emancipates the work of art from its parasitical dependence on ritual," (Benjamin, IV), ritual being tradition, in which art is "authentic" and only visible from where it is at the present moment. Art is something that people should be able to see, and experience, and with digital technology, and the emergence of new art forms, art becomes more accessible. It allows for more people to view and experience art, which in actuality heightens the concept that art is meant to be seen.

Leo Tolstoy defined art as a "relationship both with him who produced, or is producing, the art, and with all those who, simultaneously, previously, or subsequently, receive the same artistic impression," (Jones, 14). Art is the infection of a particular piece of art, on the viewer. It is the evocation of an experience, of an emotion, portrayed by the creator of the work of art, to everyone. Leo Tolstoy presents the example of a boy "having experienced fear encountering a wolf, relates that encounter; and in order to evoke in others the feelings he has experienced, describes himself, his condition before the encounter, the surroundings, the woods, his own light heartedness, and then the wolf's appearance, its movements, the distance between himself and the wolf," (Jones, 27). This is the same concept that takes place with a piece of art, as art takes in entirely the experience of the artist at hand, and shares it with everyone. Simply, if the "spectators or auditors are infected by the feelings, which the author has felt, it is art," (Jones, 29). Art is not about the materialization of some idea, or about aesthetical purpose, it is merely the expression of the artist's emotion, through painting, sculpture, any material means necessary, including that of digital art. Technology as an art form has the ability to convey a feeling, and infect the audience with those feelings. With that being said, you can not condemn it for being technological, but embrace it for being what it is, art.

Throughout history, art has changed drastically. Every step of the way, there has been resistance over new ideas, and new ways of going about creating art, yet every time, we acknowledged it as art. This new technological way of creating is just another step in the progression of art. As Tolstoy said, "in order to correctly define art, it is necessary, first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure and to consider it as one of the conditions of human life," (Jones, 37). Art is shaped by experience, surroundings, culture, and in turn, shapes how everyone who has the privilege to experience art, views the world around them. Art is a condition of human life as it is an expression of lives lived, and a way in which life is portrayed. Digital art forms change the way in which we look at, and create art. This is just natural progression of human interaction with the technological world in which we live, and "it is certainly true that more and more artists working in different forms of media are making use of digital technologies as a tool of creation for aspects of their art," (Paul, 27). We need to embrace this new technological world, and accept that we as people are going to utilize it in as many ways as possible. As Walter Benjamin wrote, "the reactionary attitude toward a Picasso painting changes into the progressive reaction toward a Chaplin movie," (Benjamin, XII). Our reaction to art will change, as it changes, and becomes even more infused with technology. This is just the natural progression of art.

Along with the progression of time, consider the effect technological art forms have had on people. Interactive art in particular has the ability to fully submerge its viewers, and dive into their senses. Its focus is on "abandoning the focus on any one single element of sensory experience (Paul, 137). It allows for senses to be manipulated and targeted by technology. Artists are coming up with even more engaging projects, and "immersive environments will become more common forms of expression as the technology is further adopted. In fact, artists and designers are currently experimenting with creative and practical environments which are immersive," (Weiland). Also, in terms of technology making the creation of art any easier for people, it does not. The process changes, but the effort associated with the creation of art is still ominous. For example, in photography, many think that you just press a button, as if anyone could do it. It's much more than that, as "an art photograph, displayed on a gallery wall, is the result of a long sequence of small decisions. First, the photographer has to decide when to pick up the camera and point, and then when to press the shutter," (Sawyer, 196). Even more so, "the most widespread and influential creative visual products of our time are, without a doubt, is Hollywood movies," (Sawyer, 197). That shows how much technology in art influences our culture, and how accepted new art forms are becoming. Technologically integrated art is become a staple in everyday life.

The notions surrounding art have changed throughout time, and will continue to do so. The ways in which we think about art have progressively changed throughout the centuries. There has never been one set way of thinking, and there probably never will be. Societal, economic, technological changes have taken place throughout the ages, and have all had a profound effect on how we look at and create art. Presently, "by the end of the century, 'digital art` had become an established term, and museums and galleries around the world had started to collect and organize major exhibitions of digital work," (Paul, 7). Even with the challenge to arts authenticity, its ability to be traditionally displayed, and the ways in which it is being prepared, the integral ideas that encompass what makes something art, is not lost. If anything, photography, film, digital art, and everything in between, is enhancing the overall purpose of art. Art is meant to be seen, it is meant to evoke feeling and influence the senses. It is meant to change over time, and reflect the present. Technology as a form of art does all of this. The concept of technology as an art form is something very hard to figure out, yet brilliant and awe-inspiring to those who embrace it.

Works cited

Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." http://design.wishiewashie.com/HT5/WalterBenjaminTheWorkofArt.pdf

Jones, W. Gareth. Tolstoy: What is art? London: Duckworth Academic Publishing, 2006.

Paul, Christine. Digital Art. New York: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2003.

Sawyer, R. Keith. Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Weiland, Scott. "Sense, Memory and Media." 14 Oct. 2008. https://moodle08.yorku.ca/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=28974