The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art - The Intersect: Art in Tech and Tech in Art

Greetings from Juergen

Hi all,

In this edition, we're taking a trip down memory lane with a look at our forgotten digital photos from 2004, and exploring how virtual reality isn't just about new worlds, but about understanding our own emotions. We've got a thought-provoking piece on how art can be a refuge in times of chaos, as well as a critical look at recent protests in the art world and their impact—or lack thereof.

We'll also examine how digital art is reshaping creativity and question the idea of democratization in this space. And for a bit of tech flair, you'll learn about how MoMA masterpieces are now gracing living rooms via Samsung’s Frame TV. These stories, and more, are here to spark conversation and reflection on how technology intertwines with our artistic lives.

Photography

Where Did Our 2004 Photos Go?

Barbara Krasnoff’s piece on The Verge got me thinking about my own digital archives. She talks about the "missing" photos from 2004, a time when many of us were caught between film and digital, and it struck a chord. I’ve noticed something similar myself. These days, all my more recent photos are neatly synced across the Apple ecosystem, but the thousands of pre-2004 DSLR shots? They’re buried in folders, hard drives, or maybe even old iPhoto libraries.

I had a friend ask for a photo from that era recently, and I found myself connecting an old RAID system just to get to it. Funny thing is, now I can just ask Siri for a photo from last week, and it pops up instantly.

“The fact that you could take a lot more pictures without incurring costs meant that you were tempted to do that... which became next month, which became never,” Krasnoff writes. That sounds about right.

Have you tried tracking down your old digital photos? Where do you keep them?

Art and Spatial Computing

What Can We Expect from Art in Virtual Reality?

Celine Daemen’s recent interview, featured in Domus, offers fascinating insight into how virtual reality (VR) can evoke deep emotional responses. Daemen, who comes from a theater background, emphasizes the power of immersion in VR as a way for audiences to engage with their own emotions and memories, particularly in liminal spaces that reflect human experiences.

It's an interesting concept, the idea that VR can mirror reality not by mimicking it, but by triggering associations—especially around grief or loss. The body’s presence in these virtual spaces gives us a new way to process real-world emotions. This connection between virtual and real, where immersion helps us untangle personal experiences, is something that traditional mediums just can’t replicate.

"It’s not as much as experiencing a story, but it’s experiencing spaces," says Daemen. "VR brings about your own fears or desires."

How do we better use VR to confront, understand, or even heal our emotional landscapes?

Societal Impact of Art and Tech

How Art Changed Visual and Performance Artist Ed Woodham

Ed Woodham's journey, as shared in a recent piece by ALL ARTS, reveals art's profound impact on personal transformation. Woodham, founder of Art in Odd Places, views art as a sanctuary amidst life's chaos. His story resonates deeply, reminding me of how music, particularly playing acoustic ambient instrumental guitar, serves as my own therapeutic "life raft."

In Woodham's words,

"Art was a life raft amongst a barrage of trauma, a shield to deflect degradations."

His experiences underline the power of creative expression, providing agency and resilience against life's challenges.

Reflecting on this, I see parallels in my own life, where music facilitates healing and growth. It prompts me to ask: How can we further integrate these artistic refuges into our daily lives to foster resilience and connection?

UK’s National Gallery Bans Liquids After Climate and Gaza Protests

The National Gallery in London just banned liquids after two protests last month targeted artworks, including a van Gogh painting, as reported by Hyperallergic. The recent actions — environmental activists “souping” the paintings and pro-Palestinian activists pasting a photo on a Picasso — didn’t damage the artwork, but they’ve forced the museum to tighten security. Now, visitors can expect longer wait times and stricter bag checks as the museum tries to prevent further incidents.

I’m not entirely sure what these protests are accomplishing aside from drawing attention to issues that deserve focus, but the connection to these old masterpieces feels tenuous at best. When it comes to activism, I’d hope for actions that are more relevant to the cause rather than randomly targeting cultural works.

“Throwing soup on a van Gogh doesn’t make me think about climate change or international conflicts. It just makes me cringe at the thought of damaged art.”

Do you think this kind of protest is effective, or just a distraction?

Digital Art Is Redefining Creativity

Jennifer Roebuck’s article on City A.M., “Digital art is redefining creativity,” highlights how immersive digital art breaks the boundaries of physical space, enabling creators and audiences to engage with art in new ways. Roebuck captures the excitement of this shift, but I feel there’s a conversation missing around the term “democratization” often thrown around in these discussions.

While digital art does indeed make artistic expression more accessible, we need to be cautious with the idea that it levels the playing field completely. Access to technology, reliable internet, and digital literacy still vary greatly across regions and communities. So, while the reach is expanded, not everyone can fully participate.

"The notion that digital art automatically democratizes creativity overlooks the reality of tech disparities. It’s more complex than just removing geographical barriers."

It’s worth asking: Who really gets to benefit from this “democratization” of art, and who might still be left behind?

Design

MoMA Masterpieces Come to Samsung’s The Frame TV

Samsung’s Frame TV, as highlighted by Geeky Gadgets, offers a way to display MoMA’s iconic artworks right in your living room. The TV transforms into a digital canvas when it’s off, showing pieces from artists like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe, all in crisp 4K. It’s an interesting blend of tech and art, but let’s be honest—why does this need a specific TV?

This could easily be an app on any high-resolution TV out there. "The Frame is just that—a frame around a TV. The artwork could display on any high-resolution television of the modern era." And yet, it’s marketed as if this experience is only possible on Samsung’s devices.

Why aren’t Google TV or Apple TV jumping on this opportunity to make digital art more accessible to everyone? Shouldn’t art be less about the hardware and more about the experience?

The Best PST Art-Science Shows Work Against Today’s Obsession with “Innovation”

The recent article from ArtNews highlights how the Getty’s PST ART initiative connects the dots between art and science in unexpected, sometimes nostalgic ways. From AI divination to machinima, these exhibitions challenge the idea that technology must always point forward, exploring how it can also pull us back to our roots.

For me, the most compelling part of PST ART is how it manages to sidestep the current obsession with “innovation.” It’s not about the next big thing. Instead, artists like Mashinka Firunts Hakopian and Stephanie Dinkins use technology to bridge past and present, blending ancestral traditions with AI in ways that feel refreshingly human.

"Art and science don’t collide," as Michael J. Masucci puts it, “they make love.” This isn’t about a violent clash—it’s about the nuanced, creative partnerships that emerge when these two fields meet.

How much are we missing in our rush to innovate without looking back?

Art & Science

Doctors Can Now Prescribe Culture Through Mass. 'art Pharmacy' Program

Massachusetts is leading a new initiative where doctors can prescribe cultural activities, according to Lindsay Shachnow for Boston.com. This effort, in collaboration with Mass Cultural Council and Art Pharmacy, integrates arts into healthcare, offering a fresh perspective on patient treatment. Although it doesn't involve technology, the intersection of art and medicine is compelling in its own right.

I find this blend of art and healthcare intriguing, though I'm still contemplating its full impact. It introduces creative experiences into the medical field, a concept that challenges traditional healthcare practices. Picture a prescription that includes a visit to a theater or an art class—it's a novel approach that could redefine patient care.

"Health service workers felt like they were giving out Willy Wonka golden tickets," shared Michael Bobbitt, reflecting the excitement within the medical community.

Might this initiative pave the way for new creative integrations in healthcare?

With Real Scientific Data, Artist Martin Vargic Has Visualized Hundreds of Alien Planets

Artist Martin Vargic’s stunning visualizations of exoplanets were recently featured in Space.com, showcasing his intricate artistic interpretations of distant worlds orbiting stars beyond our solar system. It’s fascinating to remember that, until the 1990s, scientists didn’t even know if planets existed around other stars. Vargic’s artwork brings these mysterious celestial bodies to life in a way that numbers and data alone simply can’t.

I have to admit, I never knew the origin of the word "exoplanet," which refers to the discovery of planets around other stars outside of our solar system. Be that as it may, and my ignorance about that aside, this collection of astronomical artwork is just fantastic. Vargic’s ability to inject color and texture into objects we’ve never seen before is impressive.

"We have no way to determine how different exoplanets really look in detail yet, and this makes them a rich space for creativity," Vargic explains.

Isn’t it strange how art can give form to something we’ve never seen, but still feels oddly familiar?

Creator Platforms and Tools

Adobe Max 2024: All the Major Announcements Around Design and AI

Adobe’s latest announcements at its 2024 MAX event, covered by Jess Weatherbed for The Verge, showcase a wave of AI tools integrated across its Creative Cloud suite. From Photoshop’s distraction removal to Premiere Pro’s generative video model, Adobe is clearly positioning itself at the forefront of generative AI, even beating competitors like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo to the punch.

But honestly, I’m beginning to wonder if it’s all getting a little overwhelming. The sheer volume of AI tools in everything Adobe touches makes it increasingly hard to distinguish between user-driven creativity and AI-assisted production. It’s like we’re outsourcing more and more of the creative process, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.

"It’s becoming difficult to separate digital tools that we all use from generative tools that basically involve AI in the content creation in the first place."

Do these AI features really help, or are they making us more passive in our own creative work?

The Last Word

Thanks for joining me in exploring these unique stories. Your curiosity and engagement mean a lot, and I hope these pieces resonate with you as much as they did with me. If you have any thoughts or insights, don't hesitate to share—I’d love to hear your perspective. Let's keep this dialogue going and continue to celebrate the beautiful interplay of art and technology.

Best, Juergen