TABLE OF CONTENTS:
II. Artifact Two: What is Art for? Essay Assignment
III. Artifact Three: Food as Art
IV. Artifact Four: Personal Adornment Essay
V. Artifact Five: Enjoying Horror Research
VI. Artifact Six: Creative Spirituality Reflection
VII. Artifact Seven: Art, Games, and Technology Research
VIII. Artifact Eight: Mural Assignment
OBJECTIVES:
- Learn about the history of computer graphics
- Examine the role of technology as force for cultural maintanence and change
- Discuss the validity of art created with the aid of machines
ORIGINAL POST:
Jones’ primary thesis in “Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins” is that, “new forms of art and technology are frequently cast in the mode of old forms, just as other aspects of material and symbolic culture have been” (Jones 21). She also says, “it is a premise of this paper that old cultural patterns do not die. They may fade or become more evident; that is they may be deemphasized or emphasize” (Jones 21). To briefly summarize, Jones’ primary thesis is that while computer graphics have and continue to improve from a technological standpoint, the older technologies continue to influence modern thoughts and feelings about art.
Jones provides three examples in her article to support her ideas. One of these examples that stood out to me is the work of Ben Lapofsky and Herbert W. Franke. They were the first people to develop graphic images. Jones said, “In the 1940’s analogue computers were used to generate the earliest computer graphics and display them on oscilloscopes. Ben F. Lapofsky and Herbert W. Franke were among the pioneers creating these images. Franke’s graphics were phase forms, presented as events rather than as static imagery” (Jones 22). In laymen’s terms that sounds a lot like digital art, which is exponentially more common today.
An example that illustrates Jone’s’ thesis is the computer program Photoshop. I like to dabble in photography in my free time and as I have continued to improve my photography skills I have spent quite a bit of time working in Photoshop. I think that more and more photographers rely on Photoshop or similar programs when they are creating art. Many of the effects photographers achieve through Photoshop are not achievable otherwise. Yet, while artists have this new tool the styles and concepts active in the art they create are largely a result of past artistic movements. The new artistic tool is enabling artists and photographers to extend their art and emphasize certain aspects of what they capture with their cameras, rather than completely move away from historical artistic tendencies and movements. In some ways the exaggeration of reality the Photoshop creates has changed the way people think and view many things including human form, style and other things.
REFLECTION:
(Image chosen as an example of digital art – Avatar)
During my work on this artifact I learned a lot about the history of computer graphics. One of the specific examples I mentioned was the work of Ben Lapofsky and Herbert W. Franke, who were the first people to develop graphic images. Jones said, “In the 1940’s analogue computers were used to generate the earliest computer graphics and display them on oscilloscopes.” These innovations were one of the earliest steps towards digital art.
I also examined the role of technology as a force for cultural maintenance and change. Jones’ primary thesis in “Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins” is that, “new forms of art and technology are frequently cast in the mode of old forms, just as other aspects of material and symbolic culture have been” (Jones 21). She also says, “it is a premise of this paper that old cultural patterns do not die. They may fade or become more evident; that is they may be deemphasized or emphasize” (Jones 21). Jones’ thesis was the same as my learning goal, so in reading her work I learned a lot about how technology has acted and will continue to act as a force for cultural maintenance and change. The picture I included could actually be used as an example. Avatar has often been compared to Pocahontas because of the strikingly similar themes and plot lines. While technology has advanced considerably since Pocahontas came out, the same themes still resonate with today’s culture.
FUTURE:
Looking towards the future, after completing this artifact I appreciate technology even more than I did before. This is a substantial statement because I have a profound love for and reliance on technology. This artifact has only further opened my eyes to its amazing impact on our society.