Week 3: Technology and Art


In regards to technology and art's influences upon one another, I was not aware that art, in actuality, also influences technology. I had always thought that it was a one-way street, with technology aiding the production of art through various means such as Adobe Lightroom or computer software programs that enable artists to edit photos or digitally construct architecture.


Contrary to my personal beliefs, Professor Vesna showed us that art truly does influence the production of new technology, noting that the first true "robot" appeared in a theatrical production that Karel Capek created. In Star Wars, we see flying vessels resemble flying cars transport individuals all over cities in a fictional universe. Since then, scientists across all ages have been inspired and finally, our version of a flying car is here - the AeroMobil, which was created by a dutch company.



Furthermore, industrialization has affected the perceived value of art. Although mechanization has enabled us to reproduce goods efficiently, it has ended the uniqueness, the originality of many art pieces, with countless art pieces being reproduced for the casual customer. As Walter Benjamin claims, the lack of a unique existence and presence in a time and space is why this devaluing occurs as "the presence of the original is the prerequisite to the concept of authenticity." Additionally, I believe that this declining pattern of uniqueness will be further exacerbated by the new era of machine learning and artificial intelligence, where computerized robots will perform many of human functions (Stecher). In our modern world, artists are attempting to use machine learning to create art, but think about it, but how will computers learn creativity?



Works Cited

Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Walter Benjamin. Marxist Literary Criticism, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2017.

Stecher, Benjamin. "Artificial Intelligence Is Already a Better Artist Than You Are." Futurism. N.p., 02 Apr. 2017. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.

Uconlineprogram. "Robotics Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.

Uconlineprogram. "Robotics Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.

Uconlineprogram. "Robotics Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 16 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.




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