Technological Effects
As the MoMA Catalyst class wraps up, it has become apparent to me the extent to which technology has infiltrated the art world and become pervasive in our greater cultural landscape. Being a participant on the super information highway of the web is no longer an option in our continually connected community. It is the way of modern life, and practically impossible to communicate without it. I certainly use my smart phone the most of all my technological devices, and am logged on regularly. I do know some folks who are still rebelling against these modern times, there are those who don’t own cell phones, or participate in the daily use of computers. These folks are living in the dark ages, and this resistance is futile, although a personal choice one can freely make.
I use the web to educate myself, explore the world, the arts, discover new artists, and other interests. I use the web to promote my work to audiences I would never be able to reach otherwise. The connectivity has broadened our view of the world, and brought people together in real time. The technological advances of this ‘hyper-communication’ does require people to use critical skills to navigate the space, and filter out that which is not needed, the constant distractions must be avoided to keep one from missing the useful and productive information. The future is now, however, and to shy away from the advances is only a reclusive behavior, the ostrich’s cliche of burying ones head in the sand. It is a denial of our modern times. To be fully engaged, it is a requirement to participate, to whatever extent.
There is a discipline needed in technology use, and an active ‘turning off’ that is required for myself to maintain a true connectedness to those in my immediate surroundings. The ‘flesh and blood’ world of the here and now. When socializing IRL, I give the person in front of me my full attention, and feel shorted in the exchange if I do not receive the same respect. To try to have a conversation with someone constantly checking their phone, or their Facebook or Twitter stream seems a futile endeavor. If they chose to be in the online world vs the face to face real world of our moment together, the interaction is flawed. Being present to the moment is necessary for true communication. To feel valued and understood, I need a person’s full attention. Multitasking has been shown to not be effective, so I would rather give my attentions fully to a real moment, respect the person I’m speaking with, and let the media distractions wait.
For my art making, I prefer the analog approach. A true ‘Old Schooler’, I enjoy playing around with historical techniques, the lost arts, and continuing their histories into the future. This is my mission in my art making. So I value the historical technology found in my vintage Polaroid camera. I am thrilled that the Impossible Project is bringing this old art form back to life, and there is a large counter culture that thrives in all things vintage and historic, including real film photography, vinyl records and Polaroids, just to name a few.
The technological advances have made things easier in many respects, but the historical methods and ideologies are still valid as well. We live in a modern time when all forms are valid, and ideas can be rapidly distributed through out the world.
Cofrin Contemporary 