Week 3: Robotics + Art

Contrary to what we read and learned in past weeks, this week’s discussion involved the instances where technology has imposed limitations on art or human life in general. Many critics, including Walter Benjamin, believe that industrialization and mass production has inevitably resulted in degradation of art. In his article, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, Benjamin argues that technology and mechanical reproduction has taken away originality and uniqueness from artworks, changed the functionality and purpose of art, and it that sense it has imposed a doom upon real art.

Mass Production of Art in China, http://www.spiegel.de/international/china-s-art-factories-van-gogh-from-the-sweatshop-a-433134.html

I agree with Benjamin in certain ways.  As discussed in the lecture, dehumanization of the workers, Fascism, and World War 2 were only a few disastrous results of industrialization. However, I believe that technology has brought many advantages to the human race that one cannot simply ignore. In this context, I found Douglas Davis’ article to present a more comprehensive view on the potentials of  technology. As he puts it, “the aura, supple and elastic, has stretched far beyond the boundaries of Benjamin's prophecy into the rich realm of reproduction itself.” He believes that digital world has evolved the way we interact with the outside world so much that we can no longer speak of originality. As he says, “Images, sounds, and words are received, deconstructed, rearranged, and restored wherever they are seen, heard, and stored,” and therefore, “the two states, one pure and original, the other imitative and impure, are now fictions.” So, I believe that not only older definitions of art have vanished, but also a new from of art is introduced by industrial revolution. The following video looks at some of the changes that were brought to the field of art by industrialization. 

Arts and Culture During The Industrial Revolution, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXivAiMXClg

For example, a human portrait can be easily manipulated with the aid of computers, and it can be reproduced millions and millions of times. In this sense, each user can be turned into an artist depending on how he/she uses each unique fragment to create a new composition. So although digital age has made copying and mimicking simpler, it has also made creations as simple.

http://www.bestthinbezelmonitor.com/monitor

/best-monitor-photo-editing/

Digital era has influenced artists, photographers, filmmakers, and, writers, it has given them new tools to explore their imaginations, and to exhibit their creations in a second.  So, I believe that mass production and mechanization has helped the artists in many ways. It's now down to us (or the artists) whether or not we use the technology correctly. 

Sources

1. "Arts and Culture During THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION." YouTube. YouTube, 02 Apr. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2017. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXivAiMXClg>.

2. Benjamin, Walter. "The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction." Film Theory and Criticism 4 (2006): 665-82.

3. "Best Monitor for Photo Editing 2016." Best Thin Bezel Monitor. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2017. <http://www.bestthinbezelmonitor.com/monitor /best-monitor-photo-editing/>.

4. Davis, Douglas. "The work of art in the age of Digital Reproduction (An Evolving Thesis: 1991-1995)." Leonardo (1995): 381-386.

5. Paetsch, Martin. "China's Art Factories: Van Gogh From the Sweatshop - SPIEGEL ONLINE - International." SPIEGEL ONLINE. SPIEGEL ONLINE, 23 Aug. 2006. Web. 18 Apr. 2017. <http://www.spiegel.de/international/china-s-art-factories-van-gogh-from-the-sweatshop-a-433134.html>.

6. Russo, Lauren. "INDUSTRIALISM’S IMPACT: REFLECTIONS OF ARTISTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION." (2013).

7. Vesna, Victoria. “Robotics  and Art.” DESMA 9. Lecture.