Jenny Swartz
Joseph DeLappe
Art 346
25 November 2016
Desmond Paul Henry / Anthony Antonellis
The development of computer art has progressed in many ways since the pioneers who began the genre. Some of the very first computers were used for government purposes such as bomb-sight computers, which calculated accurate releases of bombs from aircraft to their targets. One individual, Desmond Paul Henry, was the first to repurpose these computers to make artistic creations - or mechanized drawings - in order to redefine what computers were capable of accomplishing. Since Henry’s discovery, computer art has developed into an essential part of digital art, with creations such as animated GIFs, large projections, and coding for particular programming. A more recent artist, Anthony Antonellis, is a computer artist whose work comprises of more relevant (and readily available) technologies with the help of the internet and iPhones. These two artists define what computer art is, both similarly and differently based on the technologies available during their time.
Computer art is simply art that has been created using a computer. Computer art varies, but the art itself usually emphasizes the use of a computer. Although Desmond Paul Henry was able to begin this art in the 1960’s, computer art is seemingly the most contemporary form of art in this era. Although this postmodern art is abundant in our time, some argue that it should not be considered “art”. By having a machine or program do the work, some believe the art is less pure or authentic. However, others define computers as a “tool” just a like a pencil or a paintbrush would be, simply more advanced. What some other types of art may lack is the interactivity that computer art provides. Additionally, the use of the internet as an extension of computer art has had such a large impact on the community. The internet is essentially a public gallery where artists can publicize their work and virtual realities. Different types of computer art were unleashed after the creation of the internet such as glitch art and GIFS. The very fundamental types of computer art, however, are graphics, digital installation art, generative art and computer installation. All of this art can be categorized as “digital art”, emphasizing its fundamental nature in the art world and spawning an entirely new dimension as well as the adaptability of art.
Desmond Paul Henry began his career as a Lecturer and Reader in Philosophy at Manchester University. Henry was one of few early pioneers of computer art in the 1960s when the global art movement of computer arts was just getting its feet on the ground. He began his work in the 1960s, constructing “drawing machines” from military equipment like bomb-sight computers (2). The algorithms used for accurately releasing bombs was now being made into a form of art. In 2002, Henry coined the term for his works as “mechanical fractals” (1). He does not have one piece that stands out more than the other. Each is unique to the machine he used. Later works of Henry were created from mechanical pendulum devices. Henry created a total of three machines that were used to create his fascinating and unique artworks, which began a revolution of what was the beginning of “computer art”. The articulate yet abstract images that Henry created were later used for Microsoft Window’s Media Player. His definitive artistic patterns can be seen in many computer screensavers and is not hard to come by. However, his artwork is unique to his time because he used the materials he had and worked with them to develop something brand new and unmistakable. For his time, this was artwork that was created using a single algorithmic device, whereas today, we have programs ready-made for computer art. There is a saying called "swords intro plowshares", a concept in which military equipment is converted into peaceful objects. Henry used this concept to create what was once a piece of a military equipment into art. One can also say that his peaceful art was of the op-art genre because of it's optical illusion like patterns. Although this was just the beginning of what computer art could generate, Henry began a legacy that supplied others with the inspiration to create their own computer generated art.
This brings us to a more contemporary artist, Anthony Antonellis. Following the emergence of the internet, Antonellis began creating mostly GIFs and glitch art using a combination of his own art and found images. The work Antonellis creates is a combination of pop-culture images and digital installation. He believes in the concept that “the medium is the message” and through his art, he is translating a sense of relevancy, and his aptitude for digital media technology (3). Antonellis has created a variety of work using the programs available to him, such as screenshots of old tv shows like Star Trek to animated GIFS of iPhones burning. One of his most interesting works is called “Put it on a Pedestal” which is an interactive art piece that requires the user to place random objects such as a watermelon or loading symbol on various pedestals (4). All the objects are digital 2-d images created by Anthony himself. The piece emulates an actual art gallery, except the end result, always varies based on the user. “Put it on a Pedestal” is an immersive and abstract commentary on the elusive and routine nature of galleries. Essentially, the concept of this piece illustrates the excessive nature of the internet and how, at this point, it has become one big art gallery in and of itself. I feel as though it seems in some of Antonellis' other work, he is addressing the issue of consumerism - for instance combining similarly colored power drinks or videos of people going to the store, etc.
Desmond Paul Henry and Anthony Antonellis are two computer artists who have created significant pieces of art that have contributed to the broad and definite computer art world. Henry was an early influence of computer art when it was a lesser known form of art. He was able to abstract the idea of a computer being used for the sole purpose of technological advancement into art; an art form that was completely new and exciting for his time. Antonellis built onto this idea using elements of the internet as well as pop-culture to create artistic arrangements that personify the current technological age. Both artists have created artwork that challenges the status quo of computer capability. Although Henry died in 2004, his legacy lives on in computer artists like Antonellis. Instead of being limited to a single machine, artists now have a versatile number of platforms and resources to create work and publicize it online.
Although computer art has changed meaning throughout time, it stands as a unique form of art that will always be changing. In the mid-1900’s, artists did not have computers readily available at hand. It was not until the 1980’s that computers became a household name, and even then, it took some time to understand. Jumping to the current era, computers are almost everywhere, and thanks to the internet, an overwhelming amount of information is in our hands. The concept for computer art will always be unpredictable and changing with new advancements. Only time will tell what exciting and controversial computer art will be created next.
Bibliography:
Visual Presentation:
This brings us to a more contemporary artist, Anthony Antonellis. Following the emergence of the internet, Antonellis began creating mostly GIFs and glitch art using a combination of his own art and found images. The work Antonellis creates is a combination of pop-culture images and digital installation. He believes in the concept that “the medium is the message” and through his art, he is translating a sense of relevancy, and his aptitude for digital media technology (3). Antonellis has created a variety of work using the programs available to him, such as screenshots of old tv shows like Star Trek to animated GIFS of iPhones burning. One of his most interesting works is called “Put it on a Pedestal” which is an interactive art piece that requires the user to place random objects such as a watermelon or loading symbol on various pedestals (4). All the objects are digital 2-d images created by Anthony himself. The piece emulates an actual art gallery, except the end result, always varies based on the user. “Put it on a Pedestal” is an immersive and abstract commentary on the elusive and routine nature of galleries. Essentially, the concept of this piece illustrates the excessive nature of the internet and how, at this point, it has become one big art gallery in and of itself. I feel as though it seems in some of Antonellis' other work, he is addressing the issue of consumerism - for instance combining similarly colored power drinks or videos of people going to the store, etc.
Desmond Paul Henry and Anthony Antonellis are two computer artists who have created significant pieces of art that have contributed to the broad and definite computer art world. Henry was an early influence of computer art when it was a lesser known form of art. He was able to abstract the idea of a computer being used for the sole purpose of technological advancement into art; an art form that was completely new and exciting for his time. Antonellis built onto this idea using elements of the internet as well as pop-culture to create artistic arrangements that personify the current technological age. Both artists have created artwork that challenges the status quo of computer capability. Although Henry died in 2004, his legacy lives on in computer artists like Antonellis. Instead of being limited to a single machine, artists now have a versatile number of platforms and resources to create work and publicize it online.
Although computer art has changed meaning throughout time, it stands as a unique form of art that will always be changing. In the mid-1900’s, artists did not have computers readily available at hand. It was not until the 1980’s that computers became a household name, and even then, it took some time to understand. Jumping to the current era, computers are almost everywhere, and thanks to the internet, an overwhelming amount of information is in our hands. The concept for computer art will always be unpredictable and changing with new advancements. Only time will tell what exciting and controversial computer art will be created next.
Bibliography:
- R D Mutseriwa - Http://rdmonline.co.uk , Aly Sebastien - Http://www.redinko.com. "Desmond Paul Henry 1921 - 2004." Desmond Paul Henry | Home. Redinko.com and RDM Online, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
- "Desmond Paul Henry." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
- Antonellis, Anthony. "Anthony Antonellis." Anthony Antonellis. Anthony Antonellis, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
- "Put It on a Pedestal .com by Anthony Antonellis." Put It on a Pedestal .com by Anthony Antonellis. Anthony Antonellis, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
Visual Presentation:
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