ALL HAIL THE INFOGRAPHIC

I finally created an infographic after much admiration of those I've seen online, in stores, and- let's face it- everywhere else a person may look. Infographics are just a small piece of the digital art realm, yet are expanding and becoming a powerful communication tool. I am determined to become an expert.

Mine is for Roasters Coffee, who roasts their own beans under the name Resilient Roasters. Fantastic coffee, great company.

So, viola!

Designed by: Alissa Petersen

DEFINING THE IMPOSSBLE

When reflecting on the gradual implementation of increasingly advanced technologies in art, I am drawn to the question, "what defines fine art?" The ability to reproduce art brought about a change in the way art is viewed and what boundaries, if any, define great art. In addition, the context of the image may greatly affect its worth. With the democratization of information and images through technology, more people have access to art than ever before. If you consider technology as meeting the needs and wants of the public, and I feel that the reproduction of images (through technology) is meeting a demand and spreading images across the globe.

The reproduction of a photograph taken from the filmstrip by a photographer would have great value compared to a poster of a famous painting. Some people have feel that reproductions lack the semblance of handcrafted originals, and many artists have latched on to and created pieces surrounding this concept. One in particular that I enjoy is artist Michael Mandiberg's twin Websites (2001). Both sites offered high-resolution, downloadable, printable Mandiberg 'originals'. The images for the first site were actually by Walker Evans, while the second site offered Evans' images as photographed by artist Sherrie Levine. The Websites themselves questioned the place of these images among the fine art world as did the printed version the viewer could produce.

With that, does a print of a digitally-produced art piece and/or reproduction become less relevant than an oil painting, or is art just taking on a new form? I think relevance is dependent on the piece itself and how it is used. With the lines blurring between art and technology, I believe it is less important to define art as it is to understand its impact and uses.

MY SLIGHT REBELLION & FINDING MOTIVATION

I found my inspiration and motivation lacking this past week. 

The solution to my problem, you ask? 

I just needed to participate in a bit of unauthorized public art.

What a lovely lamp garden. Well, not quite. It's a public installation and intervention piece by Null Set Magazine. The concept stirs up questions related to the definition of art, the role of art in the public, and even touches on environmental awareness.

Richland, Washington

February 2014