[MUSIC PLAYING] Hello. I'd like to welcome you to this episode of Exploring Art History with Ian. My name is Ian McConnell. And today's lesson is about new media.
As you're watching the video, feel free to pause, move forward, or rewind as many times as you feel is necessary. As soon as you're ready, we can begin.
Today's objectives, or the things you're going to learn today, are listed below. By the end of the lesson today, you will be able to identify and define today's key terms, provide examples of types of new media, and explain the artistic practices that new media encompasses.
Today's key terms, as always, are listed in yellow throughout the lesson. First key term is new media-- art that involves the use of technology, particularly that which uses digital technologies. Video art is a type of art that uses moving images. Video art could involve the use of a wide variety of technologies from Super-8 to VHS to digital video and is often shown in museums and galleries in the form of a video installation. Computer art is any type of art in which computers play a role in creation or display. The big idea for today is that new media is a newer form of artistic expression that emphasizes the use of technology, particularly digital technology.
So new media, as it says, is a burgeoning art form that has only existed for the past decade or so and really coincides with the proliferation of digital technology. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with robots but I suppose it could. However, it does emphasize the use of technology and, in particular, digital technology, i.e. computer-related.
The new media umbrella itself covers three main areas, including the art system, scientific and industrial research, and political and cultural media activism. And there are three groups I'm going to mention here that have to do with political and cultural media activism-- the Critical Art Ensemble, the Yes Men, and hacktivism.
Now, I'm going to talk about the Yes Men, as they're known for creating comedic and satirical digital shorts, which are just short video clips, that highlight a particular issue of interest. And by doing that, they bring awareness to the issue while simultaneously criticizing the people or the institution that's being portrayed. Now, the use of digital media and the internet allows them to penetrate areas they wouldn't likely be able to through conventional media.
So why do we care? Well, it's likely to become one of the dominant-- if not the dominant-- forms of artistic expression because of its accessibility. Computers, in some form, and software programs are really ubiquitous and affordable. The ability to edit non-destructive creation allows for trial and error, which isn't practical with traditional media. The internet allows for instantaneous worldwide connections and the ability to adapt the media to fit any need or purpose are some of the reasons why it's likely to become one of the dominant forms of artistic expression.
So here is some examples of new media. And I have three photos on the right, which I'll flip through in just a moment-- examples of computer art, like the first image, which is any art that's created or displayed through a computer, biotechnology, and video games.
So the first example I have on the right is of computer art. It's an image created by a computer. It's actually called a fractal image.
Now, biotechnology-- this is an interesting piece here. It looks kind of simple. But what it actually is is it's made from bioluminescent bacteria or bacteria that can actually emit light. So this is a painting with bacteria that lights up.
And video games-- I don't think needs any great discussion on. But video games are another example of new media and have become their own art form, in their own right. Now, video art is not the same thing as television or movies. It refers to dynamic, or moving, art but cannot have a discernible plot or dialogue.
So that brings us to the end of this lesson. Let's take a look at our objectives again to see if we met them. Now that you've seen the lesson, are you able to identify and define today's key terms? Can you provide examples of types of new media? And can you explain the artistic practices that new media encompasses? The big idea, once again, is that new media is a newer form of artistic expression that emphasizes the use of technology, particularly digital technology.
So that's the end of the lesson today. I'd like to thank you for joining me. And I'll see you next time.
