In the final reading of our text and the last couple classes, we have discussed the inter-relationship or the interconnectedness of man with animals and technology. I stressed the idea of "networks", and how humans are made up of cellular networks but also how we interact within broader definitions of the term network. These days within the art world there are theories that center on man as a cyborg or the idea of man as a hybrid type of machine...this is due in part to our ever growing dependence on forms of technology...we are connected to our cell phones, laptops, mp3 players, which are in turn connected to much larger networks...and it is this connection that links our human flesh and bone with circuits and wire...therefore mingling our souls with machinery....something to think about!
In class we watched both Tim Hawkinson and Mel Chin on art21. Both artists use technology in their art works...Hawkinson, incorporating more crude, mechanical or kinetic elements that reference the human body and Chin using science and advanced technology as primary elements in his work. These two artists, although working in different ways, talk about the human condition in their works...social communities, our own bodies, emotions, and environmental concerns in our immediate surroundings. Take a moment to revisit those links and look over/read their work and info then respond to one or more of the following :
In class we watched both Tim Hawkinson and Mel Chin on art21. Both artists use technology in their art works...Hawkinson, incorporating more crude, mechanical or kinetic elements that reference the human body and Chin using science and advanced technology as primary elements in his work. These two artists, although working in different ways, talk about the human condition in their works...social communities, our own bodies, emotions, and environmental concerns in our immediate surroundings. Take a moment to revisit those links and look over/read their work and info then respond to one or more of the following :
How much do we model the systems/structures we make-whether freeways or the Internet-upon systems within our own bodies?
Because of ecological changes as well as technological changes, how is art different now from art work created in the 1950's?
How do these two artists above, show us the good and bad results of man's fascination with machines?
Do you believe that you are interconnected with much larger systems of knowledge and networks and that in some ways you rely on machinery/technology as much as you rely on your body?
Well to answer the last question, yes I believe that I rely on a much larger system of knowledge and networks. Probably as much as or if not more than my body! I do believe that we rely on technology just as much as our body. We use our body for communication, physical activity, knowledge etc... But we can use technology for such things like this as well. For example with physical activity, you cant go to the gym without seeing about 90% of the gym with an ipod or mp3. This is used for entertainment while people workout. Not to mention that all the equipment at the gym is sourced by machinery, except the weights! Through communication today literally everyone texts or emails. A phone call is actually looked at as out of the ordinary! For exapmle at iup majority of work and communication of students and faculty are through the internet, and the computer in general! You cant even get into your building, room, or eat without swiping your I-card. Could you imagine a school with no technology? Life would be able to be lived but just imagine the pace and the difficulty it would complicate life. Well especially mine, i dont even see it possible!so yes i believe that if not more but just as much I myself rely on technology just as much as I rely on my body for things!
ReplyDeletePeople and technology seem almost unable to separate anymore. I can’t think of a day that goes by where I’m not touching a piece of technology or machinery. People don’t even need to leave their house to communicate, shop, or even go to class. Every thing can be done over a computer/cell phone/ T.V. We do rely on these machines as much as our own body. Some people are only alive because a machine is keeping them as such. We are all connected when it comes to computers; all you have to do is click one button and chat with someone across the world, or play a game with, even have class.
ReplyDeleteTo the last question. In some ways I feel like my generation or at least my group of friends make an effort to step away from the complete control of technology. Television for example seems to be much more important to older people and most of my peers don't even have cable. But when it comes to the internet and cell phones yes! we're dependent. Without my phone i'd never be able to get anything done because with the convenience of constant contact we've lost the ability to plan ahead. It's strange to think that the generation before me grew up without any thought of the internet it's so ingrained in us now. You literally NEED to use it to go to school, to buy things, to pay bills or to do research. And like anything else I find myself dependent on it makes me very nervous. What would happen if it failed.
ReplyDeleteLiz Ali
Humans have had a large impact on the world in many ways since the 50’s. Our changes have been not only physically to the land, but also technologically. A lot more of our land and parks are being overtake with developments and shopping centers. Mel Chin is an example of how art have changed. In the past toxic landfills and destroyed homes where not the center of art works, and Chin has changed that. Mel also worked with scientist to create the sculpted gardens. Before the 1950’s pollution was not something that they thought about regularly, and it has recently become a bigger problem. He is just one way to demonstrate how art has changed ecologically in recent years. The changes in technology have had a large impact on art as well. Technology is now something that anyone can play with and explore and use to their benefit. Tim Hawkinson is an example of how technology has changed people’s perspective on art. His idea of re imagining his own body can be completed creatively with the use of newer technology. That was never an option before.
ReplyDeletei think our generation is too dependent on technology. I know there are times when I shouldn't have a cell phone when I'm trying to study and everyone is texting me, then it comes down that i just have turn in on silent. So technology has its ups and downs. Its also a very good thing like someone mentioned about paying bills because i know i forget to pay them and you have one day so you have to pay it online. Some days i just wish that we could take a step back from it and see how much different it would be without it. I think we rely on technology more then our body because we end up using technology like driving to the store, and just technology for every day tasks that we could do by hand but deciede not to. If it involves effort we dont want anything to do with it, and thats a huge reason why our country is so obese.
ReplyDeleteI think the connection between how much we rely on technology and how much we rely on our body share an interesting set of similar qualities that to the untrained eye may seem like a bit of a stretch. We rely on our bodies to perform the necessary daily functions of life, for example breathing, blinking, digesting and the filtration of toxins. Where as we rely on technology to help us connect to the necessary social functions of life, for example friendships, networking, school work and also functioning in the job force. It is almost ironic how technology has become this necessary to even function socially because without it, to say it blatently, you will have a difficult time surviving socially in the world. Quite the same as the neccesary functions that allow your body and yourself to even exist in the first place.
ReplyDeleteOf course I believe that humans believe on technology of any sort as much as we do our bodies!!! I mean back in the old days all there was horse and manual labor, but now we have tractors, computers, cars, etc to do the work for us!!! I mean we still have to take care of our bodies to get from point A to point B, and make products, but we must just make sure that the key is on and the buttons are pushed. In our society technology vs man. it's about even right now, but eventually technology of all sorts will be taking over the world!
ReplyDeleteAs technology has advanced and its use spread, it has become prominent in every aspect of our lives, and art is not the exception. Both Mel Chin and Tim Hawkinson show an intelligent, and creative use of technology to create their art. As new possibilities arise for an artist to express themselves, technology in art has affected endless things such: cameras, types of paint, manufacturing of paintbrushes, image projection, motors, sensors, metals, sprays, etc.
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