Computer and Technology Research
Jones’ primary thesis of the article, “Computer Graphics: Effects of Origin” is about the effect of cultural patterns on the practice of creating. Essentially, she states that cultural patterns are embedded in the creation of material – in this case specifically, computer graphics. She says of cultural patterns: “they may fade or become more evident… they may be deemphasized or emphasized.” (Jones, 21) To summarize, Jones looks at the influence of old forms of art on the new, especially in terms of its influence on computer technology and graphics.
Jones highlights a number of historical examples that serve as analogies to support her primary thesis. One such analogy refers to the Second West Computer Faire of 1978, wherein early views of potential uses for electricity and those of potential uses for the computer were challenged. Prior to the suggestions at this fair, “electricity had been considered theoretically interesting but of little or no practical value. “ (Jones, 21) It was at this fair that the potential for “widespread and multiple uses of microcomputers by the general public” (Jones, 21) was considered.
A similar illustration of the melding from old to new that Jones highlights in her work and writing is, I would say, the performance of old music. To many, the music I am referring to is “classical” music. Of course, the genres and time periods that encompass the music commonly referred to as classical span thousands of years and encompass a multitude of genres. In fact, the classical period was only a small blip in comparison to other eras of Western music. However, I think that the practice of performing and studying such music from so long ago is similar to this situation – though musicians bring as much to their work and performance that is “stylistically appropriate,” we are all still in 2014 and thus it is not exactly the same as it was hundreds of years ago.
Though not a direct analogy to the issues Jones discusses here, “classical” music in the modern world is a compelling issue. Composer and author Alex Temple discusses the issue of cultural relevance. It is this question that I do think has some comparisons to Jones’ thesis – the issue of new and old, for example. Temple says: “I don’t think it’s bad to make something that seems like it’s from another era. There’s room in the world for all kinds of art… but I also think that ‘how does this relate to other things from its own time?’ is a more productive question…” (Temple)
Temple, A. (2014) How to be culturally relevant. New Music Box. Retrieved from: http://www.newmusicbox.org/articles/how-to-be-culturally-relevant/ on June 1, 2014.
Jones, B. J. (1990). Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins. The MIT Press: Leonardo, 3, 21-30