The author’s thesis for her article was to investigate the properties of art forms in technology as their role in our culture today stem from their origins. The fundamentals that these early graphic designers based their work upon were mathematical equations and logarithms. They had the ability to “express it mathematically and to present it visually” (pg. 24).

One example Jones makes on page 23, she brings up the art piece named Stained Glass Windows. Jones describes this as a piece of art graphically designed for aesthetic imagery. The artist attempted to introduce color to enhance the visual appeal on the display screen. He nonetheless set the tone for other graphic designers as there was a chain affect on the usage of color.

Art then moved towards a more digital and pixelated approach. As time progressed, developers integrated textures and three-dimensional figures. A man named Leavitt started to incorporate different art techniques to further enhance the aesthetics.

Some argue that the works of the early graphics that it was not art but originating from mathematical equations and numbers. There was a debate over the idea that this type of art was no different than a machine. Jasia Reichardt added “it is as if behavior were more important than appearance in making us feel that something is alive…it is clear that people have no difficulty in organixing their psychological response as if The Senster were alive-an animal or another human being” (pg.25). I interpret this as we as people are slowly losing the essence of art. We can no longer differentiate between what has been computer generated with no meaning behind it and what art is meaningful and intended on being art rather than an aesthetic posing as art.

Nowadays, graphic images are intended to look as close to real-life as possible. The explosions we see in action movies and falling bridges are so digitally enhanced you would think that had actually happened if you drove to the building that was burning with the damsel in distress trapped on the top floor. These types of images are intended to make the viewer feel as though they were standing in the presence of the situation. In an article by Bruce Campbell, he makes the point that graphical art is more of a scientific approach rather than artistic approach. The idea that they base their images on scientific equations loses it’s essence of being art (pg. 7).

Resources:

Jones, B. J. (1990). Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins. LEONARDO: Digital Image – Digital Cinema Supplemental Issue, pp. 21-30.

Tool, A. C. Art on Graphics. Pg. 6-7.