Technology is killing art, right?
Today I switched things around, I got inspired by a video I watched of The Creative Class, so today I start with a video. We live in a world where technology is becoming our replacement for many things. This is not only in robotics or your smart devices, but it is also replacing the craft of artistry. The space between the craftsmanship, a creative brain and technology is getting really small.
It is ever so easy to pick up painting and get guidance from your computer or tablet, 3D printing your favourite designer or beginning the band you’ve always wanted. There are great technological features for a creative person that does not have to cost a lot of money. Some tools are even for free, think of the great sketching app Paper. Not only can we learn more easily and quicker, but we can get far more attention for our art for on platforms like Pinterest, 500px, Twitter, Behance, Kickstarter, you name it. All these wonderful platforms can get you to the top level of the artistic pyramid.
Like most of the ‘old’ generation would say: “technology is killing the crafts and creativity.” Silly you! It is a shame they only see the downside of this new era. Noises like: ‘the hand-made stuff is gone and all you see is the fixed, flawless edited stuff’ or ‘Back in the days we were not sitting the entire day inside behind a Macbook to get inspired, we looked around in nature and such.’ In essence they are right. Indeed, we tend to look for perfection and preferably without human errors. Maybe we are indeed to much focused on our devices, but the benefits you get from the digital age is endless.
There are some brilliant artists in the world that are combining these two brilliantly. Take for example the artist Francis Bitonti. He is disruptive as a motherfucker in the designer world. Francis mastered the 3D printing movement and creates beautiful sculptures that he sells in a, I must say, genius way. Instead of making it on his own or letting it manufacture, he has become an engineer. Francis Bitonti doesn’t sell the physical product, he sells the 3d printable drawing for the price of $ 1,-
Bitonti took the next level approach and made his design available for almost anybody in the world. The only thing you need is a 3D printer, if you haven’t got one, don’t worry you can send it directly to one of the 3D printers nearby via 3D Hubs or other services. This business model is rarely seen in the art sector and takes copy writing to another level. Would it not be great if you could buy a real Damien Hirst that could only be printed by and what will it do to the value of the art itself and the ownership of the piece of art? Would this mean that it can become public domain?
Another form of art is the digital form. Interactive art is the new kid in town and allows interaction in order to get the best out of it artistic value. Art is not dull anymore and static as it has been. These so called ‘Digital Artists’ want to get the interaction going and want to move you into a different kind of reality. The boundaries are limitless and it even lets you be the artist. A big commercial company in Berlin WHITEvoid took this concept to work and is now a big player in Interactive Art. Tangible is the key word for them and you can see it in all of their work.
Please stop saying that technology can be a bad thing for art. Their are tons of new opportunities ahead of us and the ‘classical’ forms will always be around. We will never get bored of hand crafted designer pieces or a beautifully painted new ‘Van Gogh’.
Stop whining and start embracing, it will make you a lot more happier. A wise man once said:
“It’s not about standing still and becoming safe. If anybody wants to keep creating they have to be about change.”
— Miles Davis
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