 |
| Gutenberg's Printing Press |
The dynamic relationship between technology and art has been developing
ever since technology first appeared in 1439 when Johannes Gutenberg introduced
printing with movable type [3]. These two seemingly different disciplines
overlap and intermingle in a complex and fascinating way. Mechanization really
began to permeate Americans’ every day lives in the early 1900s with Ford’s invention
of the automobile. With an assembly line factory type of production, he was
able to standardize the way his cars were produced, but mechanization in the
work place brought mechanization to American society as a whole. This move to
factory life had adverse affects on the creativity and the individualized self
[4].
 |
| A Scene Represented in Film and Painting |
In his essay, Walter Benjamin comments on this new phenomenon of mass
production of, not cars, but art. New technology allows art to be printed and
reprinted again and again, detaching the viewer from the original image’s aura,
which, Benjamin argues, shatters the tradition of originality in artwork. The
relatively new medium of film, which requires a lot of technology, is undoubtedly
viewed as art, but what makes a cameraman so different than a painter? Benjamin
defines art as something that is both visually and emotionally stimulating, and
although he recognizes that this is true of both paintings and movies, he sees
the American people as passive rather than engaged observers of film [1].
In his paper, Douglas Davis
recognizes the problem with a lack of distinction between an original piece of
artwork and a reproduction, but he also acknowledges the great things
technology has done for art and general creativity. He discusses the
development of the Internet and how it has become a resource not only for
intellectual pursuit but has revolutionized the resources we now have for
artistic expression. He says that the internet will “empower imagination rather
than reason, as new tools placed in the hands of people with open minds always
have” [2].
 |
| An Artistic Representation of Robotics and their Affects on Society |
The
guest lecturer Machiko Kasuhara speaks about technology in our lives in the
context of robots. She recognizes this advanced technology as a scientific
endeavor, but does not disregard its creative and artistic applications.
Designers and engineers in Japan are constantly looking for new ways to
incorporate robotics into our everyday lives which should make us all ask, is
there a distinct border between artist and engineer [6]? I believe that
throwing all of your creative energy into something can turn it into art.
[1] Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in
the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." (1936): n. pag. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
[2] Douglas
Davis. Leonardo, Vol. 28, No. 5, Third Annual New York Digital Salon.
(1995), pp. 381-386.
<http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0024-094X%281995%2928%3A5%3C381%3ATWOAIT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-M>.
[3] Vesna, Victoria.
"Robotics Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Apr. 2012. Web. 16 Apr.
2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRw9_v6w0ew>.
[4] Vesna,
Victoria. "Robotics Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Apr. 2012. Web.
16 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAZ8bo9T_Pk>.
[5] Vesna,
Victoria. "Robotics Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 16 Apr. 2012. Web.
16 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkP7oSZVkbg>.
[6] Vesna,
Victoria. "Robotics MachikoKusahara 1." YouTube. YouTube, 14
Apr. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQZ_sy-mdEU>.
https://publishistory.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/hdf1969_18agrandesinventions_web1.jpg?w=908
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jz__VcHCBrlHcv6PF-I7G7MkUutBZAZNBrVJFZVGpnmIHXqenPPt_eDlFG04jmGwHRZl7z_iuK4B47gI3LIfV5xd83fJ9m42E3KYBIW85RtNnKHwycZfhzVB8XJs6Eyw87WXMbXFut03/s1600/Shirley+and+Hopper+9+IIHIH.jpg
Blair, I thought you made some valid points about this week's readings especially regarding Walter Benjamin and his view on mass production with art. I thought it was interesting how Benjamin defined art as something that is both visually and emotionally stimulating. I would have to agree with this statement, art portrays such a vast range of life that pertains to the eye and can express all kinds of emotions. Art speaks to everyone differently, it stimulates emotions that help people to explore the deeper meaning of what is actually on the surface.
ReplyDeleteAs an engineer, I completely understand the dilemma you described of creating something and striking the balance between being an artist or an engineer. Numerous times, engineers prefer function over form initially. However, it must be noted that the “original works” are merely prototypes and the final manufactured product is packaged with human interaction in mind. Original prototypes cater to engineers with it’s complexity and technical design. Manufactured products are polished and packaged because they are meant to abstract the inner workings.
ReplyDeleteI say all of this because while Walter Benjamin sees art losing it’s edge due to manufacturing, the change is not meant to take away from creativity. It’s meant to rework it and present it in a more understandable way to someone else.