Vera Molnar considered the computer to have four artistic purposes: 1) widening the possibilities of artistic production, 2) aiding artistic production, 3) forcing new ways of thinking about art, and 4) measuring audience reception, perhaps most interestingly. The document discusses how electronic art has become too focused on technology alone rather than relating it to everyday life. Exceptions include works that use electronic systems rather than standalone objects, such as the work of Roy Ascott. The document also lists several artists and their approaches to production, presentation, distribution, and engagement with technology in art.

1. THE AESTHETICS OF
THE ARTIFICIAL
John Knight
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
john.knight@aalto.fi

2. …surprisingly, electronic art has become so
technology-driven that it
seems concerned only with the aesthetic
expression of technology for its own
sake. Rather than relating the impact of
technology to everyday life, art criticism
in this area glamorizes technology as a
source of aesthetic effect to be experienced
in galleries. The exceptions tend to be
based on electronic systems rather
than objects (e.g., in the work of Roy
Ascott).
(HERTZIAN TALES, Dunne, 1999)

3. Vera Molnar (1975) a ‘pioneer in computer
arts,’ considers the computer as having four
artistic purposes. Firstly, the technical
promise of widening the possibilities of
artistic production. Secondly, computers
ability to aid artistic production. Thirdly,
computers force new ways of thinking about
art and lastly, perhaps most interesting of
all, Molnar sees the computer as a tool for
measuring audience reception.

4. PRODUCTION – AUTOMATION – HAROLD COHEN

5. PRODUCTION – PRESENTATION – THE WOOSTER GROUP

6. DISTRIBUTION - TVTV

7. ENGAGEMENT – INTERACTION – GALLOWAY AND RABINOWITZ

8. ENGAGEMENT – INTERACTION – KOLMAR AND MELAMID

9. ENGAGEMENT – SIMULATION – BURSON AND KRAMLICH

10. ENGAGEMENT – SIMULATION – KEN FEINGOLD

11. ENGAGEMENT – IMMERSION – JEFFREY SHAW

12. ENGAGEMENT – TRANSFORMATION – PAUL PFEIFFER

13. SUBJECT MATTER – PETER LUINING

14. KIITOS!
John Knight
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
john.knight@aalto.fi