Artists and Technology

This chapter referenced a slew of artists whose works were developed along with new technologies for artistic use. Dan Sandin developed the Image Processor in ’73, a computer “for the manipulation of video images." Robert Moog developed the Moog synthesizer. Steina and Woody Vasulka “creat[ed] devices for artists...in the fields of digital processing and electronic image processing” and “possessed a passion for understanding the inner workings of video.” The work of these artists led me to question, what should the role of an artist be in the development of new technologies for art? It is clear from the work of the artists mentioned that video art during this period was intertwined with technological innovation, not only by commercial manufacturers, but also by the hands of the artists themselves. Rush says that the Vasulkas’ work is “keeping with the age-old tradition of artists’ [sic] constantly exploring the tools of their medium,” but I see the work of these 60’s artists as something different. The development of tools that video artists during this period were using for their works would have required completely different skill-sets from those of painters or sculptors. To make works such as Transformations, one would have to be not only a talented artist, but also a talented scientist. But as technology becomes increasingly complex, it may no longer be feasible for artists to be on the forefront of technological development. Should artists be content with being users of technology instead of creators? Does it affect the intentionality of a work if the artist is tinkering as opposed to creating?

Keenan