From Pixels to Planets: Exploring Art and Technology Through Time
The worlds of art and technology are forever intertwined, a constant dance of inspiration and innovation. Two captivating exhibitions, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, delve into this complex relationship –one tracing the roots of immersive art, the other highlighting the evolution of design and visual storytelling through digital advancements.
"Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet," currently at London’s Tate Modern, embarks on a journey through the pioneers who dared to challenge artistic boundaries before the digital age. As you enter this captivating space, the gallery comes alive with sound and light, a testament to the groundbreaking kinetic, programmed, and digital art that paved the way for immersive installations we see today. Curator Val Ravaglia guides visitors through this exciting exploration, highlighting how artists were already blurring the lines between the physical and the digital decades before the world wide web took hold.
“Suzanne Treister, Fictional Videogame Stills/Are You Dreaming? (1991-2). Photographs from original Amiga computer screen. On view at Electric Dreams at Tate Modern”
Courtesy the artist, Annely Juda Fine Art, London and P.P.O.W. Gallery, New York
meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma) takes a journey through the impact of digital technology on the world through their exhibition “Digital Witness”. showcasing works from the 1980s to today, this show, curated by Britt Salvesen and Staci Steinberger, delves into how software and hardware innovations have reshaped graphic design, photography, and film’s landscape.
Across the ocean, viewers are invited to experience “Digital Witness” at LACMA,
“Martine Gutierrez, Queer Rage, Growing Up Bites, p64 from Indigenous Woman (2018), on view at Digital Witness at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.”
© Martine Gutierrez, courtesy of the artist and RYAN LEE Gallery
Harmonia Macrocosmica by Andreas Cellarius
For this week’s “Work of the Week,” we travel back to the 17th century for “Harmonia Macrocosmica.” This stunning celestial atlas handmade by Andreas Cellarius, published in 1661 offers a glimpse into the universe as imagined by the Dutch artist. On display in the Blickling Estate’s library in the UK.
Here are some details about both these exhibitions:
- Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet, Tate Modern, London, extend until June 1, 2025.
- Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
- Through July 13
- **Harmonia Macrocosmica is at Blickling Estate in United Kingdom until January 5
We hope you enjoy exploring these dazzling representations of art, technology, and celestial wonder.
## From Pixels to Planets: Conversations Across Time and Technology**World-Today-News exclusive Interview**
The immersive art world explodes with two captivating exhibitions, “Electric Dreams” in London and ”Digital Witness” in Los Angeles, both showcasing the powerful interplay between art and technology. World-today-News spoke with curators val Ravaglia and Britt Salvesen to delve deeper into these interconnected narratives.
**WTN:** Both exhibitions explore the evolving relationship between art and technology, but through different lenses. “Electric Dreams” focuses on the pre-internet era, while “Digital Witness” spans the 1980s to today. could you both elaborate on the specific narratives you aim to convey through your respective exhibitions?
**Val Ravaglia (Electric Dreams curator):** “Electric Dreams” is a celebration of the pioneers who dared to imagine and create interactive and immersive experiences well before the advent of the World Wide Web. We want to highlight the audacity and ingenuity of artists who utilized technology,from early computers to kinetic sculptures,to challenge conventional notions of art and engage audiences in entirely new ways.
**Britt Salvesen (Digital Witness co-curator):**
Our focus in ”Digital Witness” is on how digital technology has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of image-making and storytelling. We trace this evolution from early experiments with computers and software through the emergence of digital photography, film editing, and the rise of social media. Our aim is to show how artists have harnessed the power of these tools to document our world,express their creativity,and engage in critical dialogues about our increasingly digital lives.
**WTN:** “Electric Dreams” features works like suzanne Treister’s “Fictional Videogame Stills/Are You Dreaming?”
Surely, this artwork foreshadowed the immersive digital worlds we experience today. What are some key connections between these early explorations and contemporary immersive art?
**Val Ravaglia:** Indeed, Treister’s work was incredibly prescient. It speaks to the human desire for fantastical worlds and interactive experiences, a desire that has onyl intensified with advancements in virtual reality and augmented reality.In “Electric Dreams,” we see artists pushing the boundaries of what was technologically possible at the time,ofen blurring the lines between the physical and the digital. This spirit of experimentation and boundary-pushing is echoed in contemporary immersive art,which continues to challenge our perceptions of reality and offer new ways to engage with art.
**WTN:**
“Digital Witness” showcases a diverse range of artists who engage with digital tools in unique ways. how has the democratization of technology, through accessible tools and platforms, impacted artistic expression?
**Britt Salvesen:** the accessibility of technology has undoubtedly democratized artistic expression. Artists no longer need access to expensive equipment or traditional art institutions to create and share their work. Digital tools and platforms have empowered individuals to become creators and storytellers,leading to a vibrant and diverse artistic landscape. “Digital witness” highlights this diversity, showcasing artists from various backgrounds and disciplines who are using digital technology to explore personal narratives, social justice issues, and the complex realities of our digital age.
**WTN:**
Looking ahead, where do you see the relationship between art and technology headed?
**Val Ravaglia:**
I believe we are at a pivotal moment in this relationship.As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, art will play an increasingly vital role in helping us understand and navigate this complex landscape.
**britt Salvesen:**
I agree. Art will continue to be a powerful lens through which to examine the ethical, social, and philosophical implications of technological advancements. It will also remain a crucial tool for fostering empathy, connection, and critical thinking in a rapidly changing world.
**Experience the Future of Art:**
* **”Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet”** is on view at the Tate Modern until February 26th, 2024.
* **”Digital Witness: Contemporary Perspectives on Technology”** is on view at LACMA until January 7th, 2024.
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