Jones writes on page 21 that “old cultural patterns do not die. They may fade or become more evident; that is, they may be deemphasized or emphasized.” This is the entire main idea of the paper. Cultural patterns do not get reinvented. They are patterns because they repeat and mimic each other. Jones uses a few examples, referencing early oil paintings and Egyptian architecture, which mirrored other outdated ways to accomplish the same tasks. Jones says that “these examples express the tendency to set limits of ‘the possible’ based on previous experience, knowledge and conceptual frames,” which ultimately is a mistake. The world is constantly evolving and changing in ways we can’t always anticipate.
Slowly, computer graphics began to become more refined. At first, it was just greyscale images that took a long time to calculate. Then color was introduced, and the speed went up. Then the next step up, created by the Computer Technique Group of Japan, used a computer to paint on paper. Valves were controlled, and literally painted onto the page through the use of compressed air. This is an example of “setting limits of ‘the possible’ based on previous experience.” The creators knew that art was created by painting onto a canvas or a paper, so that is what they did. It was only over time that we began to see full color images become possible on computer screens.
The very first animation ever to be made with a computer was called a “computer-made movie,” and was a basic animation to show a satellite (or in this case, a simple rectangle) orbiting a basic wireframe globe. The Huffington Post calls it a “grainy, space-age clip” that was created in 1963. Without fully appreciating what he had done, the creator Edward E. Zajac had just created what would be the first of millions of computer generated films and animations for the entire world to see.
Although revolutionary in its methods, this animation still showed the “old cultural patterns” that Jones talks about. Zajac used familiar shapes, and only used black and white. The rectangle, a simple representation of the satellite, looks like a chalkboard eraser that a teacher would use to show a class, rotating it around a globe with their hands. That isn’t to say what he did was incredible for his time, but it absolutely follows the patterns. Using simple, recognizable, familiar shapes isn’t bad, though. It made the animation more accessible for everyone.
The patterns are still evident even today. Now that we have gadgets like iPads, there are simple “painting” programs that imitate oil paints and canvas. Despite the possibilities of today, we still look back at the origins of art. It’s because the old ideas got us to where we are today, and that makes them relevant forever.
Works Cited
Anderson, J. (2012, July 19). World’s First Computer-Generated Animation Traced Back To 1963 (VIDEO). Retrieved May 22, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/19/worlds-first-computer-generated-animation-traced-1963_n_1687475.html