“Technology is the Mortal Enemy of Art” – Alexander Rodchenko

“Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press with replaceable/moveable wooden or metal letters in 1436 (completed by 1440). This method of printing can be credited not only for a revolution in the production of books but also for fostering rapid development in the sciences, arts, and religion through the transmission of texts.” (Bellis. 2017). Art and technology have always been linked one encouraging the other and allowing for more forms of expression, creativity and imagination to come forward and inspire new artists and art styles.

From prehistoric paintings to illustrations in educational textbooks, art has been not only a form of expression but a way to document and preserve moments in history as well as information that can improve society “…everything from woodblock printing to the camera obscura, from portable tubes of oil paint to photographic film, and from silkscreens to personal computers have led to new forms of art since.” (Anon. 2017).

Technology in some respects has harmed the progression of some disciplines within art such as fine art, where hyper realism is no longer the peak of the field and now more interactive and questioning styles are coming forward and challenging how technology can aid or hinder art.

In other respects, art has been launched by technology so that it may be enjoyed and consumed by the masses from printing presses to the more modern graphic styles that adorn every magazine, billboard and some fashion aesthetics. “I do see a challenge for artists to be simultaneously more open to new technologies that lead to novel forms of expression, and also staying truly creative and imaginative.” (Gever. 2012) by having such an accessible platform art has now been encouraged in most and therefore allowed for more creators and imaginings to be shared and inspired rather than only being accessible to the elite and upper classes.

Art and technology have consistently co-existed­­, have done, will do and will continue to whether or not it is decided or defined as an enemy of art or as the strongest encouragement as design develops throughout time.

References

Anonymous. (2016) Arts Council England [online] Available from: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/art-and-technology-what-does-it-mean-visual-culture [Accessed 22 October 2017]

Anonymous. (2017) Collusion: News [online] Available from: http://www.collusion.org.uk/News/Post/467/Art-and-Technology-an-artist-s-journey [Accessed 21 October 2017]

Bellis, M. (2017) Johannes Gutenberg and the Printing Press [online] Available from: https://www.thoughtco.com/johannes-gutenberg-and-the-printing-press-1991865 [Accessed: 21 October 2017]

Davies, J. (2016) Nesta: Blogs [online] Available from:https://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/state-art-analysing-where-art-meets-technology-using-social-network-data [Accessed: 22 October 2017]

Gever,E. (2012) BBC News: Entertainment and Art. [online] Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19576763 [Accessed 21 October 2017]

What Happens When Art, Technology and Nature Meet Head-On (2015) Video. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si4Vd9fnkRo [Accessed 21 October 2017]