Questions for Disscussions

Digital Currents:   

Chapter 1: "Introduction"

Question 1: Regarding the image in Figure I.3, did the situation described for that image remind you of Frankenstein, where the evil scientist unveils his creation, and states, “it’s alive!” 

Question 2: Due to its unclear content, what was the point Paul Valery was trying to make in the first paragraph?

Chapter 3: “Electronic Era & Postmodernism” 

Question 1: What would Digital Currents write about the Internet and new technology today?

Question 2: Feminist artists and their political and religious views played a strong role in their art. Do you think their art would give off as much of an impression without their motivation to be viewed as equal artists? Why or why not?

Chapter 4: “Video as time, space, motion”

Question 1:  Are all films and videos i.e. movies, documentaries, and/or cartoons considered video art? If not, what is the difference between them? How can the distinction be made?

Question 2: If video art is communicating visual songs, does the audio only carry rhythm through eyes of the video? Does the audio play a major role needed in video making? Silent films were very popular without any sound at all. So overall, do you think the audio in a video has more or less of an effect on the viewer?

Chapter 5: “Art in the Age of Digital Simulation” 
Question 1: Since computer software allows photographers to edit, distort, retouch and completely alter a photograph, how does this make a photograph become a form of artwork, rather than just being considered a picture?
Question 2: Would you consider the person with an idea an artist? Alternatively, would the person instructed to create the idea, be considered an artist? How would you classify the people that are skilled at both?  What are the criteria to qualify the title of an “Artist”?

The Medium is the Massage:

Question 1: How a person communicates is determined by the medium one uses. However, the content of a telephone conversation is different from those on Twitter, music, is or billboard advertisements. Would you infer that the medium of a telephone conversation is the telephone?

Question 2: Do you believe that our culture is striving to force the new media to do the work of the past? Do you think this is happening in today’s society? If so, how? (94-95)