Digital Art in 9 Minutes: From Early Computing Technologies To Crypto NFT Hype 💻

Summary

The video script delves into the evolution of digital art, from its early beginnings in the 20th century to the present day. It highlights pioneers like Ben Laposky and movements like Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.), showcasing how digital art has been shaped by technological advancements in computer graphics and AI. The script also explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on accelerating digital art's popularity and the rise of NFTs with CryptoPunks. The narrative invites viewers to consider the future of digital art and engage with contemporary artists pushing its boundaries.

Takeaways

• 🖌️ The history of art has evolved significantly, from early creations using natural materials to the digital revolution in art.
• 🌐 Digital art, also known as digital media or computer art, has been a game-changer in the art world, offering new forms of expression and interaction.
• 📈 The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital art, which has been developing for over 70 years.
• 👨‍🎨 Pioneers of digital art, such as Ben Laposky and Herbert W. Franke, began experimenting with electronic waves and analog computers in the mid-20th century.
• 💻 Early digital art was often created by computer scientists, engineers, and mathematicians due to the limited access and high cost of early computing technology.
• 🎨 Key figures in digital art's history include Georg Nees, Manfred Mohr, and the collective Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.), who pushed the boundaries of artistic creation.
• 🎭 The 1960s saw the beginning of digital art's mainstream acceptance, with exhibitions like Cibernetic Serendipity bringing it to a wider audience.
• 🤖 AI and computer software have been integral to digital art since the 1970s, with programs like AARON capable of creating art autonomously.
• 🎭 Pop artist Andy Warhol also ventured into digital art in the 1980s, creating works on a personal computer that were later recovered and exhibited.
• 🌐 The 1990s solidified digital art's place in the mainstream, with the establishment of media art departments in museums and the emergence of online databases.
• 🚀 The turn of the century saw the democratization of digital art through advancements in technology, leading to a new generation of artists and platforms like CryptoPunks.

Q & A

What is the significance of digital art in the history of art?

Digital art signifies a major shift in the art world, introducing new mediums and tools for artistic expression that are immersive, interactive, and computer-born, which has revolutionized the way artists create and viewers engage with art.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the digital art movement?

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital art movement by pushing more artists and viewers online, thereby increasing the demand and accessibility of digital art.

What is the earliest known example of digital art, and who created it?

The earliest known example of digital art is by Ben Laposky, who in the 1940s used an oscilloscope to manipulate electronic waves, creating visuals on a small fluorescent screen.

What was the role of Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) in the development of digital art?

E.A.T., founded in 1967, played a crucial role by fostering collaborations between artists and engineers, which helped to enhance the integration of technology into artistic practices.

Who were some of the pioneers in the field of computer art and digital art?

Pioneers in digital art include Georg Nees, who was the first to publicly show art generated by a computer, Manfred Mohr, who created algorithmic art, and Harold Cohen, who developed AARON, a program that could generate art autonomously.

What was the significance of the Cibernetic Serendipity exhibition in 1968?

The Cibernetic Serendipity exhibition in 1968 at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London marked one of the first major showcases of digital art, signaling its entry into the mainstream art world.

How did Andy Warhol contribute to the field of digital art?

Andy Warhol contributed to digital art by creating a series of digital works on a personal computer, the Amiga 1000, in the mid-1980s, which included reimaginings of his existing artworks.

What advancements in technology have been crucial to the development of digital art?

Crucial advancements in technology for digital art include virtual and augmented reality, computer graphics, 3D imaging, and AI-generated art, which have allowed artists to express themselves in new and innovative ways.

What is the significance of CryptoPunks in the history of digital art?

CryptoPunks, released in 2017, is significant as one of the first non-fungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, inspiring the ERC-721 standard for NFTs and contributing to the modern crypto art movement.

How has digital art evolved in terms of mainstream acceptance over the years?

Digital art has evolved from being a niche interest to being officially recognized and celebrated in mainstream art institutions, with museums opening media art departments and research centers, and digital art festivals and competitions becoming commonplace.

What are some of the contemporary artists who are currently pushing the boundaries of digital art?

Contemporary artists like Ryoji Ikeda, Davide Quayola, Maurice Benayoun, and Saint Denis continue to experiment with digital art, exploring new technologies and techniques to create innovative works.

Outlines

00:00

🖌️ The Evolution and Impact of Digital Art

This paragraph traces the evolution of art from its earliest forms to the digital revolution. It highlights the introduction of oil on canvas in the 15th century and the rise of acrylics and sprays in the 20th century. The COVID-19 pandemic is noted as an accelerator for digital art, which has been developing for over 70 years. The paragraph introduces the question of what digital art is and sets the stage for a detailed exploration of its history. It also mentions the various names for digital art and emphasizes its transformative effect on the art world, starting with the work of Ben Laposky in the early 20th century and progressing through the contributions of various pioneers in the field, including Georg Nees, Manfred Mohr, and the Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.).

05:01

📱 The Advancements and Integration of Digital Art in Modern Times

The second paragraph delves into the integration of digital art in the mainstream, starting with Andy Warhol's digital works in the 1980s and the rise of 3D computer animation. It discusses the blending of digital and traditional art forms and the establishment of digital art in museums and research centers by the 1990s. The paragraph also covers the technological advancements that underpin digital art, such as virtual and augmented reality, computer graphics, and AI-generated art. It concludes with the democratization of digital art through technology, the emergence of NFTs with CryptoPunks, and the ongoing exploration of digital art by contemporary artists. The paragraph ends with a call for viewer engagement, inviting comments on the history of digital art and prompting viewers to share their favorite digital artists.

Keywords

💡Digital Art

Digital art refers to any artistic creation or practice that utilizes digital technology as an essential part of the creative or presentation process. It encompasses a wide range of forms, including digital paintings, 3D modeling, digital sculptures, and interactive installations. In the video, digital art is the central theme, with the script tracing its evolution from early experiments with oscilloscopes to contemporary forms involving blockchain and virtual reality.

💡Oscilloscope

An oscilloscope is a laboratory instrument used to display and analyze the waveform of electronic signals. In the context of the video, Ben Laposky, one of the pioneers of digital art, used an oscilloscope to create visual art by manipulating electronic waves, marking one of the earliest forms of digital art.

💡Algorithmic Art

Algorithmic art is a form of digital art that is generated or manipulated through mathematical algorithms. It involves creating visual patterns, shapes, and colors based on coded instructions. Georg Nees, mentioned in the script, is known for his algorithmic art, which was among the first instances of computer-generated art.

💡Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.)

E.A.T. was a collective founded to foster collaboration between artists and engineers, aiming to integrate technology into artistic practices. As highlighted in the video, E.A.T. played a significant role in the early development of digital art by facilitating access to technology for artists and promoting innovative collaborations.

💡3D Computer Animation

3D computer animation is a form of digital art that involves creating three-dimensional models and animations using specialized software. The video mentions the 1980s as a time when 3D animation began to take shape, with artists like Kenneth Snelson pioneering the use of 3D graphics in their artwork.

💡AI-Generated Art

AI-generated art is created using artificial intelligence algorithms that can autonomously generate visual content. The video discusses Harold Cohen's AARON program as an early example of AI-generated art, which could create artwork independently and was exhibited in prestigious art galleries.

💡Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

NFTs are unique digital assets that represent ownership of a specific item or piece of content, often used in the context of digital art to prove authenticity and ownership. The video references CryptoPunks as one of the first NFT projects, which has had a significant impact on the modern crypto art movement.

💡Digital Media

Digital media refers to any form of media that is encoded in a digital format, such as video, audio, and text. In the video, digital media is discussed as a term synonymous with digital art, emphasizing the use of digital technologies in the creation and distribution of art.

💡Interactive Art

Interactive art is a form of digital art that allows the viewer to participate in the artwork by interacting with it, often through touch, motion, or other forms of input. The video suggests that the interactive nature of digital art enhances viewer engagement and is a key characteristic of the medium.

💡Immersive Art

Immersive art is an art form that fully envelops the viewer in a multi-sensory experience, often using digital technologies to create a three-dimensional environment. The video mentions immersive art as a feature of digital art, pointing to its ability to create deeply engaging experiences.

💡Computer Graphics

Computer graphics involve the creation of visual content using computer software. This field is crucial to digital art, as it allows artists to design and render images, animations, and virtual environments. The video underscores the importance of computer graphics in the advancement of digital art techniques and tools.

Highlights

The history of art begins with early creations using stone, wood, bronze, and natural pigments.

The 15th century saw the introduction of oil on canvas, later moving to acrylics, sprays, and markers in the 20th century.

Digital art is born from a blend of computer technologies, becoming immersive and interactive.

COVID-19 accelerated the growth of digital art, which has been evolving for 70 years.

Digital art goes by many names, including digital media, media art, computer art, and net art.

Ben Laposky, a mathematician, is one of the pioneers of digital art, manipulating electronic waves on a fluorescent screen in the early 20th century.

Herbert W. Franke, an Austrian physicist, experimented with mechanical devices and analog computers as precursors to digital art.

Georg Nees publicly exhibited the first computer-generated art, marking the advent of algorithmic art.

Manfred Mohr, originally a jazz saxophonist, transitioned to digital art, blending improvisation and algorithmic creativity.

The Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) collective, formed in 1967, bridged collaborations between artists and engineers.

Harold Cohen created AARON, one of the first computer programs capable of generating autonomous art, shown at the Tate Gallery in London.

In the 1980s, pop artist Andy Warhol used an Amiga 1000 computer to create a series of digital works, including reimaginations of his famous pieces.

By the 1990s, digital art had fully entered the mainstream, with museums establishing media art departments and digital art festivals emerging globally.

Technological advancements in virtual and augmented reality, AI, and 3D imaging paved the way for digital artists to explore new creative realms.

CryptoPunks, released in 2017, became one of the first non-fungible tokens (NFTs), leading the way for the modern crypto art movement.

Transcripts

The history of art is long and complex. It starts with the earliest creations using stone,

wood, bronze, and natural pigments. Then, it ventures through the 15th Century, with

the introduction of oil on canvas, before moving to the acrylics, sprays, and markers

of the 20th Century.

In today’s video, we want to fast forward to the latest trend in the realm of art: the

digital revolution. This new age of digital technologies brought with it the widest range

of instruments for contemporary creators. The new nature of digital art — computer

born, immersive, and interactive — make it perfect for both artistic creativity and

viewer engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated this phenomenon, which has been

in development for the past 70 years!

So, this begs an important question: what is digital art? Today, we will answer this

question and take a detailed dive into the history of the movement. So, let’s get started!

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If you'd like to see more Art stories, be sure to give us a like and tell us which topics

you want to learn about next!

Digital art is known by many different names — digital media, media art, computer art,

net art, New Media — and the list goes on and on. No matter what you call it, there’s

no denying that digital art has completely revolutionized the art world. Now let’s

see how it all began...

If you think that Digital Art started in the 21st Century, you’ll be surprised to find

out that it’s actually much older. in 1914, one of the founders of the digital art trend,

Ben Laposky, was born. A mathematician and draftsman, Laposky used an oscilloscope to

manipulate electronic waves that appeared onto a small fluorescent screen. As a result,

digital art had already come into being by the Second World War!

By the 1950s, many artists were experimenting with mechanical devices and analog computers

in ways that could be interpreted as a precursor to the digital pioneers who followed. Among

them was Herbert W. Franke. Franke was an Austrian physicist, scientist, and one of

the most prominent German Science Fiction writers of the 20th century.

In the early 1960s, computers were still very basic, and access to them was very, very limited.

Not only was computing technology extremely expensive, but it also didn’t have the kind

of capabilities that we are accustomed to today. In essence, early computers were like

giant calculators that could take up an entire warehouse! Only research laboratories, universities,

and large corporations could afford such equipment. So, the digital art pioneers were often computer

scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. Let’s take a closer look at some of digital

art’s most important figures:

Georg Nees studied mathematics, physics, and philosophy. He was the first person to publicly

show art that was generated by a computer. His “computer art,” which is generally

referred to as digital art or generative art, was actually a specific example of algorithmic

art.

Manfred Mohr was first an action painter and a jazz saxophonist. He used the rhythm, energy,

and sense of improvisation from his music to create new and interesting algorithmic

art.

It’s also important to mention the Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.). This was a

collective founded by engineers Billy Klüver and Fred Waldhauer, as well as artists Robert

Rauschenberg and Robert Whitman. Established in New York in 1967, this collective helped

enhance collaborations between artists and engineers.

Other bright names of this era were Desmond Paul Henry and Ken Knowlton, the two inventors

of computer graphics. Additionally, Robert W. Mallary was one of the original creators

of digital sculptures, while Frieder Nake and Lillian Schwartz helped advance algorithmic

research and digital animation.

As the 1960s came to a close, computer art had begun to enter the mainstream, even appearing

in highly-respected art venues. To some, this marked the real beginning of digital art history.

One of the first #DigitalArt exhibitions was the Cibernetic Serendipity of 1968 at the

Institute of Contemporary Art in London. The exhibition would later tour across the United

States.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, digital technologies started to become a part of everyday life.

Computers could be used for both business and personal use — something that was completely

revolutionary at the time. And don’t think that AI became a reality in the art world

just recently. In 1973, an artist and researcher named Harold Cohen created AARON, a complex

computer software program that could generate art autonomously. His works were even shown

at the Tate Gallery in London.

A prolific artist throughout the 1960s and 70s, pop art superstar Andy Warhol began creating

a series of digital works on a personal computer, the Amiga 1000 model, in the mid-1980s. It

was a collaborative project with Commodore Amiga that was stored on Amiga floppy disks

for nearly 20 years before they were found and recovered by the Andy Warhol Museum. The

digital images included doodles and reimaginings of Warhol's existing artworks, such as the

acclaimed Campbell's soup can, and Botticelli's The Birth of Venus.

As 3D computer animation took greater shape in the 1980s, animation programs became commonplace

for sculptors and photographers. The artwork of Kenneth Snelson is a prime example of 3D

graphics meeting artistic ingenuity. “Forest Devils’ MoonNight” was the very first

representative of this era.

Mixing digital and analog was also a popular trend at the time. For example, James Faure

Walker used a combination of oil painting, watercolor, and digital art to create his

pieces. He continued to integrate computer-generated images in his paintings, making it difficult

for most viewers to determine which parts were created by him and which parts were created

by the computer!

By the 1990s, digital art was officially a part of the mainstream art world. Museums

of contemporary art opened media art departments and research centers. Digital art festivals

and competitions began cropping up all over the world. Around this time, the first online

databases and archives also emerged, including the Rhizome, CompArt, and Monoskop platforms.

However, one cannot explore the world of digital art without examining the underlying technologies

that allow artists to express themselves in a digital format. Some of the most important

advancements came in the areas of virtual and augmented reality, computer graphics,

3D imaging, and AI-generated art. Without these discoveries and advancements, digital

art may have never existed!

At the turn of the century, the digital boom was at its peak. Within the first decade of

the 21st Century, millions of people had their own smartphones, tablets, and VR sets. Digital

Art became a popular area of study in art schools around the world, allowing a new generation

of artists and art platforms to emerge.

For example, CryptoPunks was released in June 2017 as one of the first non-fungible tokens

on the Ethereum blockchain. The crypto art blockchain project was an inspiration for

the ERC-721 standard for NFTs and the modern crypto art movement. Thanks to advancements

in technology, digital art had officially been democratized the world over!

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Digital art has a long and fascinating history. However, the journey of digital art and media

is just beginning. Contemporary artists like Ryoji Ikeda, Davide Quayola, Maurice Benayoun,

Saint Denis, and hundreds of other artists continue to experiment with and explore the

capabilities of digital art every day. We can only wait and see what exciting innovations

have yet to come!

So, what do you think about the history of digital art? Do you think it is just a fad

or will it continue to enjoy success for decades or even centuries to come? Finally, who are

some of your favorite digital artists? Be sure to leave your comments below and don’t

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