How does technology mediate the artist experience?

Technological advancements have facilitated drastic changes and improvements in many aspects of modern society, specifically in the art world. A whole new medium, digital multimedia, was created thanks to technology. Where artists only had the option to paint, draw, sculpt, and photograph using traditional and sometimes limiting methods, now artists are presented with seemingly endless possibilities. The options provided by digital media allow artists to express their message in more powerful and refreshing ways. A whole new world of modern art has been discovered and is ready for exploration.

The most significant effect digital media art has had on me is providing me with the opportunity to be confident about my artwork. I have always loved art, but I’ve never possessed the ability to draw or paint with any credibility. Because I thought I possessed no talent, I never bothered making art of my own and got my art fix admiring the work of others. Digital media opened my eyes to new mediums and ways I could confidently express myself artistically.

Before technology gave birth to new mediums, only the select few who possessed great talents in painting and drawing could be really considered artists. Now, with digital media, we can all be artists. True, digital media has received criticism and is not considered by all to be “real art.” But more important than an art being credible is an art that makes artistic expression more accessible non-traditional artists.

Southeast in the Shadows : a Situational Tour of Anacostia

Take a look through a window . . .




Take a walk down the street . . .




This is America
This is D.C.:
Red



White



and
Blue.



It's Dirty. It's Blurry. It's Messy.



But out of the Rubble, the Clutter, the Traffic,
emerges
a Faith.



a Hope.



a Unity.



a Statement.



a Force.



a Life.

Where Do We Draw the Line Between Art and Entertainment?

It cannot be denied that great works have art have been created using digital and multimedia methods. The article "Integration of the Arts" describes how technology had been used to create art that is more interactive than traditional art forms. Modern multimedia and digital art is becoming more and more hands on for the viewer until the line between the two is blurred. It makes sense that art would develop to be more interactive as technology develops to allow it to do so, seeing as modern culture is fast-paced and over-stimulating. However, when do these digital breakthroughs reach the point where they are no longer considered art? Can’t some forms simply be considered entertainment? Take the concept of virtual reality, for example. Progress made in this field could easily be considered more advanced video games. And if virtual reality is considered a form of art, what is stopping us from calling video game arcades art museums? I am not denying that it take great intelligence to design digital masterpieces as well as traditional art masterpieces, but where is the inspiration? What motivates certain types of digital art besides the fact that they look cool or are stimulating? Is there any real passion behind it? Traditional great works of art have been inspired by heartbreak, fear, sadness, ecstasy, memories. What lies behind the digital movement besides technology brainiacs who want to test the limits?


The area of D.C. I will be photographing is cultural but run-down neighborhood in Anacostia.
GoogleMap of Anacostia

Traditional Art v. Multimedia Art

When considering the similarities and differences between traditional art mediums and multimedia art, should one be valued more than the other?
One could argue that traditional art should be more highly regarded than multimedia art simply because it has been prominent for much longer, because there have been so many masterpieces that have been created using traditional mediums, because it is more accessible, or a number of other reasons. Multimedia art, on the other hand, sometimes has a tendency to be grouped with technologies that are not typically viewed as artistic. Multimedia art may also be less valued because some people feel it takes less effort or talent to create. However, no art form should be considered more significant or more like "real art" than another. Traditional art and multimedia art are very different in many ways, but not in their level of legitimacy. Multimedia art is one way art is changing for the better, and it will only continue to evolve.

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