Multimedia

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Are art and technology converging or diverging
at this time?
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On the convergence of technology and art
According to Jacques Ellul, since the beginning
of the last century, art has attempted to meet
the challenge of technology.
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Ellul suggests that technology destroys
tradition and forces the artist to see the world
with a new vision and create a new esthetic.
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Technology provides
New tools,
New media,
New techniques.
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For some, different forms of technology have
been interpreted as competition.
Photography for art..
Recordings for live performances.
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But according to Ellul, art receives its
character from the technological environment
The artist can resolve any imaginable problem
with new media equipment
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Evidence
of
the
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g
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Roy Ascott a pioneer of cybernetics and
telematics in art, founder of the Centre for
Advanced Inquiry in the Interactive Arts of the
University of Wales College, Newport, U.K
describes the convergence of art and technology.
we are engaged in a new social process. This
in turn flows from the new thinking that
circulates in, around and as a consequence of the
convergence of computers, communications and
biotechnologies, which is leading to the
reinvention of the self, the transformation ofthe
body and the noetic extension of the mind.
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As described by Davis (1968) technologies impact
art and artists in different ways including  

• the artists use of materials produced by recent
• technology

• the use of new imagery inspired by technology
• and science

• partnership between the artist and
• machine in the creative process.

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Convergence on Display
Museums across the globe explore and embrace the
intersection of art and technology.
The Guggenheim museum is currently building a
virtual museum featuring commissioned Internet
art by John Simon and Mark Napier.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and   Walker
Center in Minneapolis dedicate significant space
to art inspired by art and technology.
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Convergence on Display
Evidence that contemporary artists are using
technology in intriguing ways is apparent in
the emergence of art and technology centers.
Japans Intercommunication Centre follow this
link to play with the string.
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Convergence on Display
Germanys Art and Media Technology Centre ZKM
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Convergence on Display
San Franciscos Zero One Centre
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There are growing numbers of world-wide art and
technology networks including YEAR 0 1
a Canadian on-line artist run centre which
operates as a network for the dissemination of
digital culture and new media.
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Evidence continued
Stephen Wilsons tome, Information Arts
Intersections of Art, Science and Technology,
2001
provides an international catalog of artists and
their latest work in the field of emerging
technologies, science and art.
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Learn more about some of the artist and their
intersections with technology and art
Oron Catts work with tissue culture tissue
engineering as a medium Ionat Zurr. for
artistic expression.
Stelarc
whose art explores the relationship of the human
body, technology and the machine..
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Shu Lea Cheang media artist and film
maker.
Trimpin sound sculptor, composer and
inventor.
Roy Ascott pioneer in interactive computer
art.
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The Convergence is alive and well
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Resources
 Ascott, R. (1997). Turning on technology.
Essay from the multimedia exhibition Techno.
seduction. Retrieved May 20, 2005 from,
http//www.cooper.edu/art/techno/essays/ascott.ht
m
 Cook, S. (2000). Interview with Peter Weibel,
Chairman and CEO of the Zentrum fur Kunst und
Medientechnologie in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Retrieved May 20, 2005 from http//www.newmedia.
sunderland.ac.uk/crumb/phase3/nmc_intvw_weibel.htm
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 Ellul, Jacques. (1979) Remarks on technology
and art, Reprinted in Bulletin of Science,
Technology Society, No. 21, No.1, Feb. 2001,
26-37.
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Resources
Spingam-Koff, J. (2001,Feb. 28). Art and tech,
together again. Wired News. Retrieved May 29,
2005 from http//wired-vig.wired.com/news/culture
/0,1284,42037,00.html
Talman, J. (2000, Feb. 29). Technology and the
postmodern Music and Vision, retrieved May, 2005
from http//www.mvdaily.com/articles/2000/02/embe
nj2.htm
Veltman, C. (2001, Dec. 04). Corner of art place
and tech lane. Wired News. Retrieved May 29,
2005 from http//www.wired.com/news/culture/0,128
4,48836,00.html  
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Ed Tec 531 Multimedia Project 1 Jan
Wahl June 4, 2005
Art technology converging as seen from the
eyes of a 15 year old.