Information Arts | Chapter 1

The first chapter of Stephen Wilson�s book was really interesting in general; it laid down very unusual thoughts and concepts that common people usually don�t think about. For instance, the origin of science and technology, how in one point in history, science and art were one discipline. Later during the Renaissance branches of different studies developed. Science and art took their own separate paths. He also gives a definition for science, technology, and art. He briefly explains that technology is seen as knowing �how,� while science is seen as knowing �why�. He also explains, how the two are supportive and necessary to each other. Moreover, he comments that art presented in his book is mostly the art that has gone through radical changes and experimentation over the last century; the same art which has been controversial due the inability to assimilate it as art. Yet, the main focus on this chapter is the introduction of the idea of art influenced by technology and science. Wilson makes clear that �Information art generally focuses on art that addresses research activity emerging in the last seven years�. Even new digital art, such as: multimedia and 3-d animation are no longer considered experimental work in information arts. This is true, because all art eventually becomes available to common people and then it is use by millions of people around the world, rather than by a few experimentalists in its fist stage. This concept is similar to the underground music concept. Underground music can only be given this name, while the music is unpopular. Basically it remains underground only when its been listen by a few people, but once it becomes commercialized it losses the privilege of been called underground music. The idea of techno-scientific art can really develop into a great outcome, but for me is not really clear what is intended with this kind of art. For example, when experimenting with techno-scientific art should one be focusing more on the aesthetics or on the functionality of the piece? The idea of techno-scientific art is not completely accepted in neither the arts or in science, but possibly directed more towards art. I think that new media is more of an art with technological and scientific experimentation rather that science with art experimentation