“New Media Arts is devoted to producing the highest possible quality scans, and photographs of paintings, drawings and other flat artwork.” Lynn, Lown. New Media Arts. http://www.nmarts.com/. I had always been interested in digital art, but I never knew there could be a career in it. In high school, I had a life changing decision to make: what would I major in, in college? As I began weighing my options and going through in my mind what I liked and what I didn’t like, I came up with a few questions for myself. A few careers that I could easily rule out were the average like doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, and careers of that nature. I’m not saying that anything is wrong with any one of those careers, but they were just not for me. I knew that I wanted to have a career that was fun, entertaining, and could someway be involved in any aspect of the entertainment industry. Knowing this, I knew that what ever I wanted to do had to be something that would be relevant down the road. I also took into account that we are in a time of economic hardships, and a solid paycheck is important. With this all in mind, I did research and came across different aspects of media.
From here, I was introduced to web and graphic design through a teacher at my high school. I found that part of designing sites was similar to playing around with sites like MySpace, and other sites that used HTML. I knew this was for me because I enjoyed Photoshop and creating digital images. I did more research on this field and found that one of the biggest aspects of it was relevancy. “But Trendsresearch.com reports that the profession is still in its adolescent phase, and for 2010 it's going to be a new era of web design. Monster.com charts a 26 percent growth rate in this field for the past year, which will continue to blossom for the coming year.” Tuggle, Kathryn. Fast Company. 1. Dec. 2010. http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2007/01/top_jobs_2007.html. Also, the Internet and its content are only going to continue to evolve, and become more complex as more technology is created. This may seem like a huge job for one to take on but someone has to do it. From here, I chose to accept the challenge and go in to interactive arts. A fairly new field in art and technology beacuse media art has expanded in so many different directions. So what exactly is New Media art? My definition of it is a category that involves art being created with new technology such as digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art, computer robotics, and many others. With this whirlwind of new media come new programs to develop it. Origins of new media art go all the way back to moving photographic inventions like the zoetrope, praxinoscope, and the zoopraxiscope. This all came about in the nineteenth century. During the 60’s video art showed experiments of Name June, Paik, and also performances of Fluxus. In the late 80’s computer graphics and design, changed the way of interactivity through the World Wide Web.
The book “New Media Art” is broken up into themes that I found to be interesting. A few of the themes consist of computer art, collaboration, identity, and appropriation. This was interesting to me because all of these themes are things that are discussed in my art classes. They all relate to each other under the umbrella of how art affects media.
In 1982 a major software company, Adobe was created. Adobe focused on creative multimedia software products to aid the development of the new movement known as “new media art”. Adobe’s first products were called digital fonts. Shortly after this, Apple responded with a competing product, TrueType. Adobe and Apple continued to be competition for each other. Over the years Adobe has become what some would call the Mecca of creative software, creating software such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Illustrator and many others. Professional designers at well as companies use these programs. “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works”. Jobs, Steve. “Steve Jobs quotes” thinkexist.com. http://thinkexist.com/quotes/steve_jobs/. I applaud this statement by Steve Jobs because there can be so many misconceptions about what a digital designer exactly does. Although ones initial thought of a “designer” could be someone that adds color, text, style, and a certain look to something, this is not all that a designer does. Designers can also be programmers. Today, so many designers are forced to learn programming as well to be able to as Jobs puts it “make it work”. Adobe has become a multi-million dollar industry, and they are only going to continue to grow from here. Although Adobe will continue to compete with companies such as Apple, and Google, they have a pretty good chance at competing.
One of the other well-known companies when speaking about design is Apple. Apple was first established in 1976 in Cupertino, California. Over the last 30 years, Apple has grown into a multi billion-dollar industry. Just like Adobe Systems, Apple is hugely favored because of its graphic designs. Compared to most of the other computer companies like, Dell, Toshiba, and even Sony, Apple and their Mac computers have no competition when it comes to this. Apple also has its own line of products, a lot of them are free, like itunes, iLife, Logic Studio, iworks, and many others. This company is huge for new media artist. Depending on ones style and fit, Apple products may or may not be for them. Most designers do prefer Mac operating systems than any others though. Apple products are extremely user friendly, and usually tend to last a lot longer than other systems. For instance, Mac users find themselves spending less time troubleshooting their computers, and more time enjoying the great features they have to offer, as well as being productive with them. These things are imperative for not only designers, but also the everyday user. Everything from the engineering design, to the design of the program is nothing but amazing. I was more than impressed when I used my first macbook. I would never go back to a PC . For me as a designer, I need a machine that works well with me and can handle my heavy workload that I put on to it. Also I need a machine that responds well with the programs that I run on it. The new media designers that work at Apple really did their homework when it came to the users needs. One thing that I found interesting was that Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, said that he realized where the “hot new careers and jobs” were going to be in the next decade. He pointed his finger right to the digital artist. The engineers that work on products that sell millions like the macbook, iphone, ipad, and the ipod. He knew exactly what the consumers wanted, and he delivered.
Interestingly, about ten years ago, if someone were to mention that a phone would operate off of only a touch screen, and have thousands of applications that ran on them, no one would believe it. Or that you could do just about anything on including check and respond to emails, no one would have believed it. That’s where new media artist come in. It would take a team of artist from this time of digital, and computer art and programming to design a phone with all of these key features. Josh. Mac of the Future. http://macofthefuture.com/2010/10/apple-changing-the-way-we-buy-changing-the-way-we-do-life/. Also, to say that one day, there would be a handheld computer that also operates off of a touch screen would have been ludicrous. New media artist have totally been the creators of the digital world that we live in today. Because of these artists, we as a society today have needs that were not even considered ten years ago. Primarily every American has to have a cell phone. On that cell phone there have to be certain features available or it wont be of any use. Of course it has to have email and applications, but more importantly is the design. The screen has to be large enough, bright enough, and all of the colors must show clearly and be at a high resolution. If a device is lacking these key features, the average American today will not even consider it. And why is that? New Media Designers have pushed the envelope. If one gadget has all of these bells and whistles, the next gadget that comes out after it has to have these bells and whistles, and more.
Another reason why new media art is so relevant is because of new technology. Within the last ten years so many new gadgets like the Ipad, phones, mp3 players, laptops, and many others have been created which call for new types of media to be created. Another thing that is great about new technology that come out is that it means more jobs are being created. “Today we are beginning to notice that the new media are not just mechanical gimmicks for creating worlds of illusion, but new languages with new and unique powers of expression.” McLuhan, Marshall. Think exist. 1 Dec. 2010. http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/new_media/. I enjoyed this statement because this expresses how significant new media has become. Everyday there is a new buzz about a new form of media in the works. “China Mobile is preparing to launch new upgrades for its favored smartphone operating system that it believes will help turn the tide in boosting the appeal of the company's 3G network.” PC World. Yahoo News. 3. Dec. 2010. http://news.yahoo.com/technology. Whether it is in The United States or in another country like China, new technology is everywhere. The world of technology speaks many different languages. A career in technology does not limit anyone as seen in this quote.
Another “perk” of new media art is being able to study technology that comes from Japan. Japans economic success comes from being so technologically advanced in areas such as engineering, manufacturing technology and, electronics. So how does this coincide with new media art? Well this is in fact new media art. Japan advances segue into new media that comes to the United States although many people would not like to admit it. For instance, “Japan today is establishing itself as more of a technology savvy country due to the emergence of new IT and Bio-te chnologies. Nano-technology is one of the most recent advances in Japanese innovations which has had an enormous affect on businesses in Japan as well as in other foreign nations. Nano-technology basically is a way in which we can use carbon nanotubes to convert larger technology into much smaller structures. This recent form of technology has been one of Japan’s most popular and innovative findings that have been a primary strength in their ability to come closer to becoming a more dominant force in the technological industry. Nano-technology is seeing more use in the development of equipment used by most businesses today. It is being used in computers, hardware circuits, televisions, phones, and other high-use products. Due to the recent success of Nano-technology, businesses are operating more efficiently and effectively. This is because more information can be obtained and installed in such hi-tech devices such as computers.
In conclusion, Japanese research continues to increase with regards to the success of this new form of technology that will inevitably enable Japan to produce more revenue.” Wikia Contributor. International Buisness Wiki. http://internationalbusiness.wikia.com/wiki/Japan%E2%80%99s_strength_in_providing_advances_in_technology. This is proof of how far New Media artist have become. These Nano-Technology systems are used in the Untied States today.
Another obsession that has become popular in the design and technology field are applications. Applications are programs that are designed to help the user perform tasks. Types of applications are processors, media players, games, and programs to help assist users accomplish a certain goal. Recently, applications are created to entertain people whether it is on phones, computers or other portable devices. The most popular applications are games, or applications that can assist the user in any way. “Because dining out can become cumbersome and the cost can quickly add up for those who frequently order take-out food or visit restaurants, most people prefer to make and eat the majority of their meals at home. Of course, making a meal that an entire household will enjoy is sometimes challenging to the home chef but with the android cooking and recipe applications in this article, it does not have to be that way.” ANDROIED APPS AND TECH NEWS. 1DEC. 2010. http://www.androidapps.org/. From this, it is evident that applications have been created for just about anything.
While new media art takes on aspects like the Internet, mobile devices, and computers, another form of art called Video art falls under this category as well. Video art was said to had been started by Nam June Paik, when he shot footage in 1965. Video art is interesting because opposed to visual art like cinema; video art explores video art itself. It does not usually contain actors and actresses. It simply relies on moving pictures. In relation to new media art, some look at it as being started by video art. Since most video art is images being transformed into different things, and has a more visual connotation, new media art could have possibly stemmed from this somehow. I have found through the website Videoart.net, that video art is indeed entertaining. The website hosts an annual festival every year for video artist to come and showcase their work. One of the statements made by a representative reads, “The festival aspires to shed new light on the definition of the video art genre by showcasing the work of ground-breaking contemporary video artists and experimental filmmakers from all over the world. This much-anticipated event will also feature a panel discussion with a distinguished group of professionals including gallery directors, art critics and online video sharing experts.” Video Art. 1 Dec. 2010. http://festival.videoart.net/. Although video art can seem like a pastime, it is still used today by artist and filmmakers.
One video artist as well as interactive artist Miroslaw Rogala, bases his works on the ideas of nature, and that relationship to humans. He uses motion and collages of music to create his visions. Most of his pieces are not the least bit strait forward in the message they are trying to convey. Rogala experiments with typography, as well as colors to help drive his point across to the viewers. In one of his videos, “Nature is leaving us”, he experiments with still images and home videos. What is interesting about this is that Rogala manipulates the frames, and adds motion to them. Also, the images are black and white, and Rogala adds a small boost of color to them making them a bit more interesting to look at. So how does Video art, and artist like Rogala relate with new media art?
“The most recent obvious technological advancements involve the computers Internet. While video-streaming on the Internet has proven to be an option, the infrastructure (e.g. broadband) required to sustain high quality video is not yet an affordable option for the typical consumer. Given the rate of recent technological advancement, it is not too ludicrous to expect this technology to become mainstream within a few years. As such, it is not unlikely that artists will choose to take advantage of the potential exposure possibilities of this new medium.” Lee, Ryan. New Media Art. 5. Dec. 2010. http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/New_Media_Art_-_Video_Art. New media involves a lot of motion in art. Not necessarily simple motion like flash, but something that is put together to tell some sort of a story. Something that a viewer has to actually take the time to see play all the way through, to understand the message the artist is trying to give. New Media Art as well as Video art is similar because they both embody the same characteristics. Motion being one of them, and a story line being another. “In discussing new media technologies, focus is often placed on the introduction of new technologies and facilitations, e.g. radio, television, personal computers and the Internet etc. However, in the case of video, applications of the medium, other than originally expected, have added to related technological advancements to re-qualify it as a new media.” Lee, Ryan. New Media Art. 5. Dec. 2010. http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/New_Media_Art_-_Video_Art. New media art is definitely taking the world by storm in ways that most people don’t even realize. It is something that everyone comes in contact with everyday. A quote from Wikipedia reads, “As the technologies used to deliver works of new media art such as film, tapes, browsers, software, and operating systems become obsolete, New Media art faces serious issues around the challenge to preserve artwork beyond the time of its contemporary production. Currently, research projects into New Media Art Preservation are underway to improve the preservation and documentation of the fragile media arts heritage.” This is an interesting theory about where New Media art is headed. I’m not sure that I agree but it’s interesting to hear other opinions.
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