Laurie Anderson / Lynn Hershman Leeson

Laurie Anderson:
O Superman

I find Laurie Anderson's work very nuanced as well as important for many different reasons. Through performance, Anderson can address a broad range of issues, personal or political. In her performances, she incorporates singing, dancing, props, and music that strech the limits of their uses. Her piece, "O Superman" was one that stood out to me because the song echoes in my head after seeing it and leaves me with a strange feeling - one of longing or questioning. She talks about "mom and dad" as well as justice and force. Her personal style attributes to her lyrics and overall it's mesmerizing and strange - what art should be. She is one of my favorite performance artists because of she expresses herself in a totally unique way and underlines either personal or broad issues not by throwing them in your face, but by hinting at them or using humor.



Lynn Hershman Leeson:
Deep Contact

Lynn Hershman is one of the first female artists to stand up for women artists. Additionally, her work foresaw the current landscape of technology and how it is affecting society. Her work, Deep Contact, is essentially an artistic rendition of what online porn is today. It is an interactive piece that requires participants to "touch" the woman on the screen in front of them, testing the boundaries of woman vs. machine. Her work highlights the idea that it is not only woman that are sometimes fetishized and obsessed over, but technology as well. Granted, her work was created in the late 1980's, therefore she foresaw the idea of the widespread obsession of online porn that continues today.

Desmond Paul Henry / Anthony Antonellis

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:

1. 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. 
2. "Desmond Paul Henry." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016. 
3. Antonellis, Anthony. "Anthony Antonellis." Anthony Antonellis. Anthony Antonellis, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016. 
4. "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:

Desmond Paul Henry / Anthony Antonellis from Jenny Swartz

HyperNormalisation Review

After seeing the documentary, HyperNormalisation, I have a more clear understanding of the political world and how much of what has been portrayed has been either hidden under the rug or kept secret in order to keep a "normalized" society. The documentary was a thorough run-down of the political events from the mid 1900's leading up to Trump's political campaign. It provided much needed information about how banks began seizing power over the politicians, and how it effected the U.S. socio-economic system. Prior to 9/11, there was much foresite through movies and tv shows that portrayed alien invasions, which in reality, was the foreshadowing of terrorist attacks.

I found it interesting that this documentary was able to touch on the way social media has played into Donald Trump's campaign. I totally agree that various media outlets were biased and viewed by individuals who were equal-minded either liberalists or democrats, and that most of this information was never seen by the other side. I think this is a pattern for those using certain social media platforms. During the campaign, I was seeing articles representing Hillary Clinton as the favored candidate as well as articles reporting negative outlooks on Donald Trump. I rarely saw a positive article on Trump, and this was because of the social media that was reaching me due to my preferances. It would have never occurred to me that there was a different outlook in the news that the side voting for Trump was viewing until after the election. I was so upset and surprised by the results, simply because of the news I was reading leading up to it being compeltely one-sided.

This movie provides awareness on not only how "cyberspace" has evolved and been used for powerful movements, but the events that has sparked controversy on the internet and led many to find comfort in the cyberspace world. I think the internet is a crazy and wonderful place at times, but has an over-abundance of information that can be easily hacked, making it also very dangerous. There are many theories that humans may no longer need companionship as the computers become largely more popular. It is strange to think of that happening now, but it shocks me that this theory is even in place. It goes to show how computers and the internet have dominated our world.

Swell - Anthony McCall

 I was lucky enough to view this installation at the NVMoMA before it was taken down. The installation, called Swell, is an experiment using "solid light" where two lights interact with smoke screens which give the sensation of being in water. The smoke screens move slowly in the room which acts as it's own unique environment. It was an interesting installation, to say the least. My friend and I decided to test out different perspectives in the room and it truly did feel as if we were standing in water at some points. It also felt like we were standing in the clouds.

As the light evolves, the space becomes a completely different environment, and I was compelled to feel like I was changing with it. The feeling was a little dizzying, but it was fun to mess around in the room and use our bodies to interact with the light. I thought it was particularly interesting that this is the same type of technology used in light shows at concerts, but I had taken it for granted until I interacted with this installation. It was a great idea to utilize the concept.

Joseph DeLappe: Playing Politics

Without having witnessed the entirety of his work, I was interested in seeing for myself what Joseph DeLappe has done throughout the years that I have missed. Seeing him speak at the NVMoMA was a great experience. It was also great to be there for his last presentation at the NVMoMA.

The presentation began with DeLappe's fascination with war games and the concept of having an "out of body experience" or how an individual's reality can be shaped by a 2D character. One of his projects called "Dead in Iraq" was an intervention in a game meant for recruiting people to the army called "America's Army". This was especially interesting to me because DeLappe used the game interface to name every individual to date that has died in Iraq. The reaction he received was not very positive, but a message was sent and people were probably shaken by this action. Rather than playing the game as usual, DeLappe sought to send a message to those that were shifting their own reality to essentially violent entities.

Another work of his dealing with video games that I found interesting was his march as Ghandi in Second Life. DeLappe was portraying the famous "salt march" Ghandi had made in the famous online game, Second Life, and he played the whole game himself walking on a treadmill. I thought this was a thought-provoking piece of work because it alluded to the idea of pushing yourself out of the game limits and physically becoming a 2D character. I think it happens quite often that people get so wrapped up in online games that they envision themselves as these 2D animations, but are essentially still human in form.

For the rest of his presentation, he spoke about his fascination with drones, and how they are wildly controversial and have made a huge impact in our society with a lot of us not realizing it. His works include stamping drones on dollar bills, adding drones to the background of old paintings, and creating a lifesize drone with names of those killed by them to emphasize their harmful nature.

He has lots and lots of works I haven't touched on, so if you are interested in learning more, please visit: http://www.delappe.net/

Jennifer Garza-Cuen Guest Lecture Review

Jennifer Garza-Cuen is more than just a photographer. In order to capture an image, Garza-Cuen explains that she must immerse herself in one place, experience the culture, and get personal with the people she meets. She works with concept art as well. She showed one of her works of old mug shots that were abandoned in a building due to a fire. It is hard to distinguish the faces in these mugshots which Garza-Cuen explains is important in understanding how over-mocked and permanent mugshots are today thanks to the internet.

Garza-Cuen's photography was very powerful. She explained in her lecture how photography is illusionary, and that there is a falsity behind the truth. She also stated how each photograph is a "self-portrait" because it is one person's perception of the world at a given point in time. Her work demonstrates this association with photography very well. She has traveled to different states, backtracking her family roots and history, finding something new and exciting along the way. It evokes a sense of adventure, but the subjects in her photography translate a sense of fragility. Garza-Cuen mentions how when a subject looks directly at the camera, it is a bit off-putting for the viewer, but adds emotional strength. Many of her photos are of subjects looking directly at the lens, with a straight face. I thought it was interesting that she chose to do this. It makes her photography more poignant.

Overall, I enjoyed Jennifer's work and her ability to share her experiences through her photos. She has a skill with both photography and the cultural aspects behind it. Her ability to capture her subjects in their surroundings is very telling of her skill with a camera, and I can definitely admire that. It was a great lecture to attend and I recommend everyone to view her work.

Swartz,Jenny_AllisonParrish from Art 346 Digital Media UNR

Allison Parrish is an artist who works with computer programming to generate "bots" that create either poetry or ambiguous messages. She uses twitter as her domain for computer generated bots like "Everyword" and "The Ephemerides". Her work focuses on the complexities of words when combined with computers. She has also made and is in the process of making computer games.