Emerging Technology & The Arts

Anyone wondering what kind of future technology is emerging should consider about how we might interact within a 3D digital environment as this video illustrates. Technology is becoming an altogether kinaesthetic experience and one that relies of interaction within space, which some refer to as 4D.

The question for artists and designers is how to mobilise this technology, which is increasingly expensive and requires a fair amount of technological expertise. There are a fair number of artists already using web-based and computer technology to make work and artists have always embraced new technology with film and video opening up many possibilities.

I particularly like this music-making tool by Andre Michelle (aka aM laboratory), which allows partipants to create connected sounds through mathematical patterns referred to as a 'tone matrix' by the creators:

http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix

If anyone has any other good examples of artists working with new and emerging technologies, please let us know and we will start to build up an archive.  Meanwhile, at school, it might be worth considering how the tools that we do have available might be used to create new art works. Consider the use of audio visual equipment (speakers, monitors/TVs), OHP projectors and the range of computer software that allows for interactive content that could be used via the interactive whiteboard.

A couple of years ago, I showcased our flickr work through Cooliris, which creates a large interactive wall of images. This might be an interesting tool for displaying work and getting the audience to interact with it. Alternatively, flash animations often have the possibility for interactive elements. One of our current year 13 students, Zak Benjamin, is using the free software Google Sketch Up made for architects to create fictional urban landscapes, or rather abstract shapes that mirror the urban landscape, which he will project onto different spaces around the school to then transform into a mural. Although, the final outcome is not involving computer technology, the process has been largely informed by it.