Tuesday, January 24, 2017

New vs. Traditional Media



Throughout the ages, many aspects of art media has remained the same.  However, over time, technology and cultural changes have expanded what art media means.  New art media, in general, is not an entirely new field but based upon traditional foundations.  According to Wikipedia, New Media Art often involves interaction between artist and observer or between observers and the artwork, which responds to them. Yet, as several theorists and curators have noted such forms of interaction, social exchange, participation, and transformation do not distinguish new media art but rather serve as a common ground that has parallels in other strands of contemporary art practice.
New Media art is often referenced with old media in mind.  New media art can be an alteration or expansion of the traditional form, as such, there are many parallels between the two forms.  New media art, much like traditional, still requires artistic skill with color, texture, shape, and perspective in mind.  As an example, the process of making 3D prints is not dissimilar to making sculptures, the tools are just different.  An individual making 3D prints still has to create a plan and have the final form in mind, and know the limitations of the media in which they are using.  This is further supported by the Brown University Wiki titled New Media Art  by Mark Tribe.  Tribe discusses the similar techniques required in traditional oil based paintings and comic book art.
With the many inclusive features of new vs. traditional media comes many exclusive features as well.  Some may argue that traditional media is more fluid and free to interpretation.  Tribe remarks in general, new media art is fundamentally different “focusing on ideas than on objects”.  Critics also argue that traditional media, such as hand painted artwork, is more original and one of a kind.  The argument, in this case, points out that digital art can be replicated exactly the same with no evidence of the original.  Not to say this hasn’t been done in the past with traditional media though.  Before the printing press, copies could be made by engagements on rubber, essential making stamps out of them.  Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Andy Warhol, all have used this technique in the past to create their works.
            So far, I have discussed computer generated art and 3d printing to represent some commonalities between the two genres. However, there are numerous other examples that one could draw from to compare.  There is some difficulty that arises when defining ‘new media’ as the definition continues to change.  For example, the etched replicated works of some the great artists that I previously mentioned were at one point considered new media, we now look back and think of this style as traditional media.  Our definition now includes, “digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art, Internet art, interactive art, video games, computer robotics, 3D printing, cyborg art and art as biotechnology” (New Media Art, Wikipedia, Jan. 12, 2017).   With this ever expanding definition, I believe that we will continue to see new media become traditional media, and traditional media remain the foundation for the new media.

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