From newspapers and magazines to radios, from radio to TVs, and now, from TVs to smartphones; with the ever-evolving landscape of technology, media forms and variations coexist through various evolutions brought forth by modern advancements.
Even in art, new artists are emerging utilizing these new forms of media and exploring new mediums of expression. This new “Media Art” utilizes traditional media (like paintings, sculptures, and prints) and combines them with new mediums to create what is now known as “New Media” art.
For example, interactive art that changes based on the movements of the audience, internet art utilizing internet’s capabilities as its canvas, video art utilizing VHS and DVDs, performative art based on the artist’s own body as an expressive centerpiece- in short, its a new form of fusion art between “a new medium and art” utilizing computers, electronics and other modern technology. Here, we will nitpick some media art movements that are being explored today.
Media Art in New Genres
David O’Reilly
There are so many different pieces and directions when we discuss media art. First, let’s discuss artist David )’ Reilly, who started his career in 3DCG animation. Famous for constructing the videos/games used in Spike Jonze’ movie [Her] (2013), O’Reilly is also widely known working alongside shows like “Adventure Time” and “South Park”. Some might regard him as an animator, but O’Reilly frequently works in interactive elements (like video games) and is regarded as a prominent media artist.
“Her” Trailer
For example, his simulation video game titled “Everything” that allows players to become atoms, animals, planets, and countless others, shows an immersive exploration in levels of existence in our world. Another title, “Mountain, is a game where the objective is to, quite literally, stare at a mountain floating in space. As such, O’Reilly aims to provide and release an immersive experience that brings the possibilities of video games to an almost artistic expression.
These expressive performances have been in the lens of Japan’s artistic movement as well, with his animations and game works being featured in media art focused exhibitions like NTT Inter-communications center (ICC)’s “In a Gamescape” (2018), Tokyo Photographic Museum (TOP)’s 11th annual “Yebisu International Festival for Art and Alternative Visions” (2019), and “Digital Transformation Planet: Towards the Next Interface” (2023) in Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (later canceled due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake).
Even in media we enjoy and are familiar with on a daily basis like animation and video games can be another outlet for artists. It can be an indescribable feeling to see such media in museums and exhibits as modern life is closely intertwined with technology.
Multi-media artist and videographer Sputniko! is a force that cannot be ignored. As an associate professor in the famed Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geijyutsu Daigaku) and author/TV personnel for multiple faucets of exploration in topics of biotechnology, gender performance and more, she continues to push new boundaries in her exhibit in KOTARO NUKAGA’s art gallery in Tennozu, Tokyo.
Her exhibit, “Drone in Search for a Four-Leaf Clover”, explores image recognition using AI. A simple exhibit with a drone going over a clover field to search for a “lucky” four leaf clover effortlessly, it questions the validity of “luckiness” without the effort typically associated with finding one. Nominated for England’s digital art award, the “Lumen Prize”, it shows the challenging spirit Sputniko! has in her creative works.
“Will technology liberate us or become new shackles?” Sputniko!’s statement questions the development of said advancements as a think piece.
Media Art by the Greats
Brian Eno
Next up, the godfather of the recently popular ambient music genre, Brian Eno. While famous worldwide as the frontrunner of the genre, he is also known as an avid media artist.
Gaining worldwide notoriety as a member of the British band “Roxy Music” in the 70s, Eno crafted ambient music as a part of his solo works, citing ambient music “as ignorable as is interesting”. Eno really did it all, producing for The Talking Heads, U2, Coldplay, and many others, while making the startup sound for the Windows 95
The first time Eno coined the term Ambient Music: “Ambient 1: Music For Airports” (1978)
In Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank’s Kyu-Kosei center, Eno held the “BRIAN ENO AMBIENT KYOTO” Exhibit（2023). Featured exhibits were “Face to Face” which generates 30 new faces per second and “77 million paintings” which features sound and LED lights to create no two moments alike as a form of his media art expression.
Calling himself almost like an AI artist back in the day on The Guardian, Eno created conversations by being against AI but also insinuating its future capabilities. Furthermore, his new documentary “Eno” used AI learning to make 52 quintrillion (!) possible combinations of which the documentary is generated at random- no two viewings are the same.
In the aforementioned exhibit’s pamphlet, Eno mentions how music and artwork always intertwined with each other within him. As he blurred the lines of music and environmental sounds with his ambient music, art and technology are just another lines for him to blur as a form of expression.
Like so, media art blossoms in different mediums from various angles by a plethora of artists. With technology, more expressive options are available, some in the realm of imaginations deemed impossible. One thing is for certain, however- that even in the world of digitalized art, the physical experience of the affected is at core. Media art offers insight that one may have never fathomed, blurring lines of proximity with technology seen in everyday life. Why don’t you go explore the vast world of limitless possibilities these works have to offer?
