Netfilmmakers has been going through a bit of a silent period. Silent, yet active in a behind-the-scenes kind of manner. As a platform, and as persons, we have evolved and are looking forward to taking on challenges in new forms. There is so much creativity and experimentation going on out there; the digital artworld is virtually buzzing with energy, although it can be arduous to find it when you don't know where to look for. A good place to start might be this article, which names a few artists working with the internet, both up-and-coming and established.
An interesting event which took place at the Transmediale this year, caught my attention. It questioned the state of net.art, and asked if Web.video might be considered the new net.art?
Perhaps anyone who was present would like to elaborate?
What I find so intriguing, is the clam that internet art is certainly out there, it's everywhere. Artists have always used raw material from their surroundings to interpret, express, explore, experiment with, ask questions, ponder upon and play with. But perhaps the problem lies in the taxonomy, the classification. Debate and discussion on net.art are most often associated with early experiments from the nineties, a specific period of artistic approach. The reason many artists today would not be able to identify with the label, is that they do not consider themselves as on the edge of experimenting with new and unknown technology. The utilization of web video, youtube, facebook, iPads and other tablets, smartphones, networks and so forth, has become so ubiquitous and so integrated into our social and personal existence, most obviously reflected in contemporary artistic production. While I'm not claiming that it is a necessary part of art production, but simply that a certain exploration of identity, means of expression, social relations, survaillance, space etc. the internet remains an interesting, relevant and some what vital medium.
This is one of the reasons for my passion for the work everyone at Netfilmmakers are doing, the potential of it, and why I am so excited about our new project BUGS, where three great Danish artists are working with the iPad and applications as a platform to create and experience interactive art in very different forms. BUGS will be launched in the autumn of 2013 and more information on the project will emerge in the months ahead.
The iPad/tablet itself has qualities that differ from a computers screen. It offers a totally different sensory experience, and has become easier to experiment with as they are becoming more affordable and common. Recently, more and more schools have begun to incorporate them into education and explore how the potental of the mobile and interactive can enhance the learning experience and motivate children in a different way. The use of new technology should not be synonymous with turning your mind off — when applied to education in a more active manner, it has the potential to stimulate thought, learning and creativity. Perhaps it is also important to teach children to navigate information, collaborate, share, create and code to prepare them for the brave new world we inhabit.
Another interesting article on the new touch screen generations can be found here. Personally, I share the authors astonishment, in how competent my three year old son approaches our brand new iPad without slightest complication or confusion. Observing him learn how to count, how to play with and categorize animals and dinosaurs, do complicated puzzles, draw and paint, play memory games and navigate with unbelievable precision and confidence between applications, switching between various platforms and operating systems as if he had been doing it for years. I am certain that this interactive platform does possess aspects and potentials of learning, which we must keep experimenting with in order of understanding it properly.
While everyone at Netfilmmakers are working hard on their artwork, design, strategies, testing and coding as well as practical planning, I would like to use our blog as an tool for investigation and exploration, to write about what is out there and discuss the potentials further. I would like to use it as a form of communication between us who have dayjobs and other projects going on, and cannot meet and discuss and debate these things as much as we would like. And also to share with you things we find interesting: museums, experiments, projects and artists who share our passion. We would love to get a dialogue going so we welcome feedback and suggestions.
Feel free to comment below, or send suggestions and ideas to me at asgy@itu.dk
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