In the realm of art, I’ve always held the belief that meaning and visuals represent distinct aspects when appreciating art. My beliefs on the future of art invariably swerved towards visions of lights and interactivity, sidelining the pursuit of deeper meaning, and that is admitted, as I was ignorant of that aspect. However, my perspective was broadened during Casey Reas’s presentation. He introduced various artworks generated through algorithms, a concept that initially aligned with my thought process. Yet, it was his showcase of “Signals” that actually took me back. This piece, illustrating the interaction of protein cells within a cancer cell, not only expanded my appreciation of the intersection between technology and art but also underscored the profound potential for meaning in such intersections, bridging my gap in understanding and igniting a newfound appreciation for the depth of art’s potential.
Throughout the presentation, the only question that came to mind was whether any of these pieces of art match old artifacts regarding their value in terms of history. If, hypothetically, our civilization were to vanish overnight, leaving these modern creations as remnants for future generations to discover, how would they interpret them? Would they perceive these pieces as remnants of an extinct religion, or would they recognize them as artistic expressions? This question only comes to me because I wouldn’t personally understand any of it without reading the description or having someone explain what the artist meant by it.