In the article “Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins”, the author, Beverly Jones briefly talked about how technology and computer graphics influence the society and human life. The main thesis stated that “New forms of art and technology are frequently cast in the mode of old forms, just as aspects of material and symbolic culture have been. Only when these new forms become available to the larger population can they affect cultural patterns of maintenance and change” (Jones, 21). Her point of technology is about the constant main purpose in dramatically changing technology.

One of the examples that Jones used as an illustration of her thesis is the example of the projections made at Second West Coast Computer Faire in early period. She pointed out that “small computer systems similar to the larger systems used by Mallary for sculptures, by Laurie for weavings and by others for prints be used by individuals to create unique furniture, fabrics and prints suited to their special requirements”(Jones, 23). It is so interesting that how technique can do such many things helping people and also related back to her main thesis about the component of technology is to helping people do things more convenient and efficient.

One example that compelling illustration of Jones’ thesis at work in today is the rapidly changing technology of the smart phone. Phones as the tool of contacting, are changing fast in these 50 years. From the very beginning, phones only be used as a tool to call someone, many different factors are added with the technology developing, like texting, camera, and many different apps in nowadays’ smart phone. However, no matter how it changes, the basic component of phone is always connect between people and the society.

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

While I was viewing the two murals about the development of arts and sciences, they reminded me of the article, “Public art controversy: Cultural expression and civic debate” by Erika Doss. By the definition discussed in the articles about the public art, “Public art is artwork in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property, or whether it is acquired through public or private funding; public art can be a sculpture, mural, manhole cover, paving pattern, lighting, seating, building facade, kiosk, gate, fountain, play equipment, engraving, carving, fresco, mobile, collage, mosaic, bas-relief, tapestry, photograph, drawing, or earthwork. ” (Doss 2), public art is a familiar art form in the society, and murals are of course one of major public art form.

As a public art form, mural is an easy-to-read art form. Even common people can read the murals from many specific details to understand what the artist wants to express. In the first mural, which is titled with Development of the Arts, it is structured by a tree and its limb. At the bottom of the mural, there is a man in the center of the root, which might represent the human’s history and the origin. In the soil, there are some plants and flowers growing and surrounding the plants, human beings are spinning, making pottery, and painting in the cave. These are always seen as the beginning of art in humans’ history. From the bottom to the top, it showed a history how human develop art from ancient time. Furthermore in the second mural, which indicates the development of the Science, it is clear that this mural has a similar structure with the other mural Development of the Arts. there are also some plants grow from the soil, while the difference is those plants are crops than flowers. From the panels from bottom to the top, the agriculture, iatrology and later manufacture, are mainly showed as the main theme.

As discussed in the article, because the public art are “usually located in visible public spaces, organized by public committees, frequently funded by public dollars, and intended for multiple audiences,” public art can always be defined as” the product of public feedback” (6) That might be why people like considering issues by viewing and reading public arts. For example, comparing with the mural Development of the Arts, the other mural, the Development of Sciences, there are fewer women in the whole picture. In science aspect, men are always seen as the majority of the pioneers in hundreds of years. That is, in this mural, the issue of diversity, especially about the diversity relating with gender, need to be considered. not only the time that when the painter painted this mural, but also the time when specific samples described in the mural happened, the issue of gender diversity was clearly showed in this public art.

From the analysis about the public art work in this week, I learned a lot about how one public art work can show the issues happening at that period and as Doss discussed, “Grounded in conversation, dialogue, and often debate, public art can serve as a symbol of civic examination, prompting further debates about community needs, hopes, and histories. As an instrument of public conversation, public art
can become a catalyst for civic and national revitalization.”(10).

Doss, E. (2006, October). Public art controversy: Cultural expression and civic debate. Retrieved from http://www.americansforthearts.org/pdf/networks/pan/doss_controversy.pdf