🖼️Art and Technology Unit 12 – Net Art and Web–Based Projects

What's Net Art Anyway?

• Net Art encompasses artworks created specifically for and within the digital realm of the internet
• Utilizes the unique properties and possibilities of the web as a medium for creative expression
• Often interactive, allowing viewers to engage with the artwork in ways traditional art forms do not
• Challenges conventional notions of art by existing in a virtual space rather than a physical one
• Can take various forms such as websites, online installations, digital animations, and interactive experiences
• Frequently incorporates elements of collaboration, open-source sharing, and user-generated content
• Blurs the lines between art, technology, and communication, creating a distinct genre of artistic practice

Evolution of Net Art: From Dial-Up to High-Speed

• Early Net Art emerged in the 1990s, coinciding with the rise of the World Wide Web and dial-up internet connections
  • Artists experimented with the limitations and aesthetics of slow internet speeds and low-resolution graphics (ASCII art, animated GIFs)
• As internet technology advanced, so did the possibilities for Net Art
  • Broadband connections and faster download speeds allowed for more complex, media-rich artworks
  • Introduction of Web 2.0 technologies (social media, blogs, wikis) expanded the interactive and participatory nature of Net Art
• Mobile devices and ubiquitous internet access have further transformed the landscape of Net Art
  • Artists now create works that can be experienced on smartphones and tablets, taking advantage of features like GPS and augmented reality
• The evolution of Net Art parallels the development of internet technology, constantly adapting to new platforms, tools, and cultural shifts

Key Players and Game-Changing Projects

• Jodi (Joan Heemskerk and Dirk Paesmans) - pioneering Net Art duo known for their subversive, glitch-based works that challenge user expectations (wwwwwwwww.jodi.org)
• Olia Lialina - influential Net Artist who explores the cultural and social implications of the internet (My Boyfriend Came Back from the War)
• Vuk Ćosić - known for his ASCII art and appropriation of internet culture (Deep ASCII)
• Heath Bunting - creates provocative works that blur the boundaries between art, activism, and hacking (The Status Project)
• The World's First Collaborative Sentence (1994) by Douglas Davis - early example of participatory Net Art, inviting users to contribute to an ever-growing online sentence
• Post Internet Survival Guide (2010) by Katja Novitskova - an online artwork that presents a dystopian vision of the future shaped by technology and environmental collapse

Tools of the Trade: Tech Behind Net Art

• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) - the foundation of web-based Net Art, used to structure and present content
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) - used in conjunction with HTML to control the visual appearance and layout of Net Art projects
• JavaScript - a programming language that enables interactivity and dynamic elements in Net Art
• Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) - allow Net Artists to incorporate various functionalities into their works (geolocation, real-time data, social media integration)
• Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal) - platforms that facilitate the creation and management of web-based artworks
• Web hosting services - provide the infrastructure for Net Art projects to be accessible online
• Browser extensions and plugins - can be utilized by Net Artists to modify or enhance the viewer's experience of their work

DIY Net Art: Hands-On Techniques

• Remix and appropriation - using existing web content, images, and videos to create new works that comment on or subvert the original material
• Glitch art - intentionally corrupting or manipulating digital files to create visual distortions and artifacts
• Hypertext poetry - using hyperlinks to create non-linear, interactive poems that explore the possibilities of digital text
• Net.art generators - tools that automatically generate Net Art based on user input or algorithms (The Shredder by Mark Napier)
• Browser-based interventions - artworks that alter the functionality or appearance of web browsers, challenging users' expectations (The Web Stalker by I/O/D)
• Data visualization - using web data and APIs to create visual representations that reveal patterns, connections, or insights
• Collaborative projects - leveraging the internet's potential for connection and participation to create artworks that involve multiple contributors

The Good, The Bad, The Weird: Analyzing Net Art

• Accessibility - Net Art can be experienced by anyone with an internet connection, democratizing access to art
  • However, the digital divide and varying levels of technical literacy can still limit accessibility for some audiences
• Interactivity - Net Art often encourages active participation from viewers, blurring the lines between artist, artwork, and audience
  • This interactivity can lead to more engaging and immersive experiences, but can also be challenging for viewers accustomed to passive art consumption
• Ephemerality - The nature of the internet means that Net Art can be easily altered, updated, or even deleted
  • While this allows for dynamic and evolving artworks, it also raises questions about the preservation and longevity of Net Art
• Context - Net Art is deeply embedded in the context of the internet and digital culture
  • This can make Net Art highly relevant and responsive to contemporary issues, but may also limit its accessibility or impact for viewers unfamiliar with online culture
• Subversion - Many Net Artists use their work to critique, subvert, or challenge dominant systems and structures (corporate control, surveillance, online identity)
  • This subversive potential is a key strength of Net Art, but can also lead to controversial or polarizing works

Net Art's Impact on Contemporary Culture

• Challenges traditional notions of art, authorship, and ownership by embracing appropriation, collaboration, and open-source practices
• Reflects and critiques the increasing digitization and mediation of everyday life, offering a critical lens on technology's impact
• Influences other art forms and media, as digital aesthetics and practices permeate contemporary visual culture (glitch art, memes, GIFs)
• Contributes to the development of new digital literacies and ways of engaging with art and information online
• Raises important questions about privacy, surveillance, and the commodification of personal data in the digital age
• Offers new opportunities for artists to reach global audiences and create works that transcend geographical and institutional boundaries
• Encourages experimentation, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration between artists, technologists, and other fields

Future of Net Art: Where's It Heading?

• Continued integration with emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence
  • These technologies will offer new tools and platforms for Net Artists to create immersive, interactive, and generative artworks
• Increased focus on social and political activism, using Net Art as a tool for critique, resistance, and mobilization
  • As the internet becomes increasingly central to social and political life, Net Art will play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and action
• Greater emphasis on sustainability, archiving, and preservation of Net Art works
  • As technology evolves and online platforms come and go, ensuring the longevity and accessibility of Net Art will become a key challenge and priority
• More diverse and global participation in Net Art, as internet access expands and digital tools become more widely available
  • This will lead to a wider range of voices, perspectives, and cultural influences shaping the future of Net Art
• Continued blurring of boundaries between art, technology, and other fields, as Net Art becomes increasingly integrated into the fabric of contemporary culture