Week 5 Reading Response

Golan Levin’s article on Computer Vision opened my eyes to the fascinating world of computer vision in art. As a computer science major also delving into the visual arts, I found this piece incredibly relevant to my studies and personal interests.
The historical overview of computer vision in interactive art was eye-opening. I was unaware of the fact that artists have been experimenting with this technology since Myron Kruger’s work in the 1970s. It’s amazing to see how far society has progressed in the past half a century and how artists continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with these tools.
One thing that really stuck with me was the explanation of basic computer vision techniques. I’ve always been curious about how interactive installations work, and learning about motion detection and object tracking was akin to getting a peek behind the curtain. It was fascinating to think that these fundamental concepts are behind so many of the interactive artworks in galleries and online.
The article made me think a lot about the difference between human and machine vision. I never realized how much work goes into making a computer “see” things that we take for granted. The fact that algorithms have to assign meaning to visual data is mind-blowing. It makes me appreciate the complexity of human perception even more.
I was particularly intrigued by the ethical implications of using computer vision in art. The example of the Suicide Box by the Bureau of Inverse Technology made me think about the fine line between art and surveillance. As someone who wants to create interactive pieces, I’m now more aware of the responsibility that comes with using these technologies. How do we make sure we’re not invading people’s privacy while still creating engaging experiences? It’s definitely something I’ll be considering in my future projects.
I appreciated that Levin included code examples, so I could see firsthand the effort and technique that went into creating such pieces. In conclusion, this article has changed the way I think about interactive art. It’s not just about creating engaging and fun experiences anymore; it’s about understanding the technology behind it and using it responsibly. I’m looking forward to experimenting with computer vision in my own work, but I hope to be more mindful of the ethical considerations involved.

Leave a Reply