The real question is whether information technology destroys quality art. Good theatrical performances and good musicians arrive to my small town rather often; there is a nice theatre here (constructed for various purposes). But people do not attend such events anymore. People play with their mobile devices; they take pictures of themselves (and post them on the internet), and they all feel like artists. But it is sad to see an orchestra of excellent young musicians, playing in front of a nearly empty hall. Have we all become artists, so that we do not need any other artists; or have we become zombies, uncapable of receiving any real art?
Dear Prof. Mario Radovan ,
The advent of paints and brushes centuries ago didn't make everyone artists.
Technology has certainly democratized access to artistic tools and platforms, allowing more people to express themselves creatively. With the advent of digital devices, software, and the internet, individuals can easily create, share, and access a wide range of artistic content.
Social media platforms, for example, provide a space for people to showcase their artistic endeavors, whether it's through visual arts, music, writing, or other forms of expression. Apps and software tools also enable individuals to edit photos, create digital art, compose music, and more, often with user-friendly interfaces that don't require advanced technical skills.
However, while technology has made artistic tools more accessible, it doesn't automatically make everyone an artist in the traditional sense. Artistic expression involves a unique combination of skill, creativity, and intention. While technology facilitates the process, the essence of being an artist still lies in the ability to convey emotions, ideas, and perspectives through a chosen medium.
In essence, technology has empowered more people to explore their creative sides and share their work with a broader audience, but the label of "artist" still depends on the individual's skill, passion, and commitment to their craft.
Technology has increased access to works of art whether in museums of other establishments. But that does not mean that most people will actually spend the time to "self-educate" in art. A still image of an artwork is no longer capable of attracting viewers: People see hundreds of images per day, and a video on a screen is more captivating.
Using technology for art making does not equal one becomes an artist. In the same sense, using oil paints to paint does not mean that what you make is automatically art. Technology allows more people to explore their creative sides because it is accessible and clean. Art making with art materials -paints, brushes, solvents, colours, pigments, clay, marble, wood, chisels, hammers etc.- requires time (set up, work, dry the work, wait between stages, etc.), space, and creates a mess.
The problem is also in the social logic of social media : your friend circle is forced to like what you make. Great art is the result of failures: an artist will make hundreds of failures to produce few true works of art. He or she will devote time and materials for experimentation and learning (learning includes viewing works, reading, and trying the materials). An artist will embrace mistakes, failures, and criticism and grow from that. In social media everything you make gets a "like". Therefore, there is no criteria to judge your own works: if everything you make "great and amazing" how will you make mistakes and learn from them ? And as an extension, how will you learn to face criticism for your work ?
No we have not all become artists, but we have become zombies, incapable of perceiving -generally, not just art.
"No we have not all become artists, but we have become zombies, incapable of perceiving -generally, not just art." - This has been my impression too. People do not attend excellents aartistic events (music, drama) anymore. Our nice theatre (some 600 comfortanble chairs) used to be full; in recent time, it has been nearly empty.
This depends on the perspective you view art from. Someone might view art as being formal while another person might view art as a way to express themselves and so on. So the concept of technology making people artists depends on the person's perspective
Ok; but I wanted to say that constant dealing with machines makes people stupid like machines. Or smart like machines, as you like it.
Do you think it is a generational thing? My generation (retired) still like live (rock) music and if we buy CDs, it is to listen to then as we used to listen to the old vinyl albums.
Then - for a time - younger people used to download just one - or so - song by a band and not appreciate the album (CD) as a whole work.
But, more recently, there has been the rise of new vinyl and youngsters are buying this to add to their collection. Which is GREAT!
I buy a monthly journal 'Guitarist' and every month they have a few newly released album reviews. They score them out of ten and add the similar artists to each album. I expect the readership is quite mature, but not completely, judging by the readers' letters (usually emails) that are published.
I don't know if this is relevant, but it's my perspective.
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