Technology is continuing to revolutionize many areas of life including creative endeavor. This presentation on Digital Art and Philosophy looks at different forms of digital art and related philosophical issues. Digital art is anything related to computers and art such as using a computer to create art or an art display that is digitized. Philosophical aspects arise regarding art, identity, performance, interactivity, and the process of creation. Specific topics include: Design Aesthetics of Meaning-Making: Info Visualization, Democratized Creativity: Performance, Music, Virtual Reality, Gaming, Natural Aesthetics: Generative Art, SynBio, Biomimicry, SocNets, and Portable ArtTech: Identity, Wearable Electronics, the Future. More information: www.MelanieSwan.com/PCA

1. Image: Emese
Szorenyi
Digital Art and Philosophy
Melanie Swan
She’s Geeky, Mountain View CA, Jan 2013
http://www.MelanieSwan.com/PCA
http://www.slideshare.net/lablogga

2. "Every culture will use the maximum level of technology
available to it to make art" - Scott Draves, Generative Artist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0OK1GiI83s
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3. What is Digital Art?
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4. What is Digital Art? ‘Official’
Definitions
• “Digital art is anything involving computers and
art such as using a computer to create art or
digitized art displays” – EB Boyd
• “Digital art is using new technologies for the
digital, computer-based composition, display, and
reproduction of images and sounds” – Katherine
Thomson-Jones
• “Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic
works and practices that use digital technology as
an essential part of the creative and/or
presentation process” – Christiane Paul
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5. What is [regular] Art?
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6. Classic definition(s) of art
• “Art is the expression or application of human creative
skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as
painting or sculpture” – Wikipedia
• Art “…is a means of union among men, joining them
together in the same feelings, and indispensable for
the life and progress toward well-being of individuals
and of humanity.” – Leo Tolstoy
• “Art is a discovery and development of elementary
principles of nature into beautiful forms suitable for
human use.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
• “Art is not a thing — it is a way.” - Elbert Hubbard
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7. What is Digital Art?
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8. What is Digital Art?
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9. What is Digital Art?
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10. What is Digital Art?
Social network visualization
of voting patterns of U. S.
Senators during 2007
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11. What is Digital Art?
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12. What is Digital Art?
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13. What is Digital Art?
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14. What Philosophical Issues arise with
Digital Art?
• What is art?
• Why does art matter?
• How does art engage us?
• How does digital art change
our notions of
– Identity
– Performance
– Interactivity
– Creativity
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15. Philosophy of Digital Art
• “The virtual image lacks any material
autonomy of its own and is dependent on the
activity of the [viewer’s] body-brain [for its
existence” – Mark Hansen
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16. Philosophy of Art
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18. Image: Emese
Szorenyi
Digital Art and Philosophy
Thank you!!!
Melanie Swan
She’s Geeky, Mountain View CA, Jan 2013
http://www.MelanieSwan.com/PCA
http://www.slideshare.net/lablogga