Reading Reflection – Linh Tran – Week 2 – Digital Art Identification

What defines art? Since the rise of technology and digital world, the art world is gradually shifted from classical arts, the unchangeable details imprint on physical paper, to the digital art pieces, in which the picture is generated by various algorithms. Throughout the talk, Casey Raes displays examples of different art pieces that are made from randomized algorithms. However, this raises the question whether the randomized algorithm creates a unique artwork since the details are generated and produced a different texture. In other words, it is important to understand the line that distinguishes a new art piece.

As in the talk, a single algorithm can produce different behavior and artistic presentation. For example, in one of the scenes, with the same algorithm that is repeatedly re-compiled, the details are output in different angles, shapes and colors. However, it remains obvious that the art pieces are made from the same algorithm because their style and texture combinations stay the same. Therefore, while it is fascinating that the art piece will change with time and space, it seems to me that the algorithm is the one defines digital art. This is because the algorithm controls how the details in the artwork react with each other. Hence, it makes more sense to identify with the constructed algorithm than the randomized display.

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