#ModernArt 2 #Digital art

I recently visited the Lowry art gallery to view their latest exhibition "Humans being digital"

Quote from Lowry Art gallery website:
'Engaging with art can be an emotional experience - performance, sculpture, painting or music can all touch us beyond words – yet technology is often considered mechanical, cold or inhuman. So how can artists show new perspectives on life, emotion and relationships by using digital technologies to connect human beings and digital?'

Here at last is  something that should reflect a new approach. If art reflects the times then the use of modern technology should give artists a means to produce a new type of art.  I looked forward to viewing their new concepts.
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The first picture shows an artwork, which was installed in the Lowry gallery, where the word lights up and a message is given.  The second image is from the recent Lightworks exhibition at Salford Quays. (see next blog)
 Both could be seen as 'modern art' using a digital form to convey the artist's interpretation of a subject.
I have seen lighting installations like this before as well as messages being highlighted by them and I feel that as an art form it is dated. However, for it to be considered modern art, I would suggest that in this type of art work,  it is the message that moves the concept forward rather than the physical structure.

Three other artists use humorous aspects of modern communication in their works, which involve emails, Instagram and Tinder respectively. This reflects modern lifestyles but is this  an art form? One exhibition uses CCTV footage to create a curious environment that asks questions about technology and privacy.  In my opinion, certainly relevant, but possibly more about society's misgivings rather than art!

A sculpture of human hair caught in a machine can certainly shock. A tiny bottle of perfume called Apocalypse, meant to awaken the senses and a video 'Housewives Making Drugs'  are supposed to engage the audience's emotions and make them contemplate their own bodies.

In the case of the video,  I have become anesthetized to televised artwork and so was therefore not interested in engaging my emotions! As for the perfume bottle, just because it was designed by digital artists, does it make it digital art! I'm no so sure.

The most fascinating images, to me, were the screens showing human organs digitized; they didn't really make me think about the body, as was the intention, but did give an original vision and made me stop and look. The colours resonating with the natural function of each organ, in my opinion created, a worthwhile piece of modern art  using digital light effects to create movement.

However, I have to admit that I did chicken out of having myself scanned to see if I was 'hipster' enough to be allowed into the  bar area of one exhibition!

  I have  previously visited exhibitions based on digital art at this gallery and have been disappointed at times at this use of modern technology. Galleries seem to be looking for new exhibitions and in my opinion,  they like me, are not sure what direction to go in. 

The use of modern technology is staring to influence artwork and it will be interesting to see how it progresses. 

One artist, I researched, creates sculptures from digitized images created on a computer and the first picture shows an example of his work. It shows how technology can produce interesting new work. 

Over the past year, I too, have embraced the digital arena and  now use a stylus to draw on a tablet instead of a traditional paper art pad.  The second picture, shows my work of a traditional subject matter approached, I believe, in a new way. Having had these accepted in a couple of international exhibitions in America, I did not need to send a physical painting. instead I emailed the image and it was printed at the gallery. A use on modern technology to produce the artwork. 

Digital art is becoming more and more popular and recognisable, however, I would suggest that  proponents of this type of art to edge on caution and not become too gimmicky, as these are often short lived in the art world. Plus, do the general public wish to view it in art galleries as it is often of an experimental and conceptual origin.  It makes you think!

Below is a link that you might find interesting.
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=100&v=3fKzAnCRgu0