CompEd2009xL: Computer Art-Works

Computer art is any art in which computers played a role in production or display of the artwork. Such art can be an image, sound, animation, video, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, videogame, web site, algorithm, performance or gallery installation. Many traditional disciplines are now integrating digital technologies and, as a result, the lines between traditional works of art and new media works created using computers has been blurred. For instance, an artist may combine traditional painting with algorithm art and other digital techniques. As a result, defining computer art by its end product can thus be difficult. Nevertheless, this type of art is beginning to appear in art museum exhibits. Notable artists in this vein include James Faure Walker, Joseph Nechvatal, Matthias Groebel, George Grie, Olga Kisseleva and John Lansdown.

Computer art is by its nature evolutionary since changes in technology and software directly effect what is possible. The most recent evolution of computer art where the computer is allowed to create the art uses the evolutionary computing and swarm principles. However, many of the pioneers of the genre disagree with the idea of considering this type of output a form of art. Italian artist Aldo Giorgini, one of the trailblazers who fought for the recognition of computer art as a valid art form said in a 1974 interview that "serendipitous or accidental computer art is not to be considered a valid art form," albeit that it "can serve as an exploratory device or as a source of ideas." To further reinforce the point, Giorgini states that "using a 'canned' program is like choosing one work from 100 paintings in a gallery, and then calling it your own."

***This is original, I swear***