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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