<documenta X><blast> FAQ

Martin Sjardijn ("sjardijn"@xs4all.nl)
Fri, 22 Aug 1997 07:15:43 +0100

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What about the linguistic merit of the notions of 'virtual reality'
and 'interactive art'?
A: They are both OXYMORONS.

Q: What about ubiquity, dispersion, dissemination, &c.
of information in cyberspace?
A: Beware of postmodernism, be aware of SEARCH ENGINES.

Q: What about technique within the realm of computer technology?
And can it yield art?
A: Technology becomes technique through TRANSPARENCY
and thereby morphs into ART; true to its heritage,
its economic OBLIGATION to the establishment,
the discours limps behind slavishly.

Q: What signifies virtuality to art?
A: There's no essential DIFFERENCE in content between the
virtuality of 17th century paintings and today's VR, except the
MEDIUM.

Q: What about interactivity in electronic art?
A: As a CLASSICAL painting consists of a frame, linen, and oilpaint,
so INTERACTIVITY is an integral part of electronic art.

Q: What 's the main difference between traditional painting and
sculpture and the new art?
A: There is an OBVIOUS discrepancy in the new art between
enclosed physical space and the corresponding disclosed VIRTUAL
space.

Q: What is the economic value of art in the domain of
cyberscpace?
A: Economic values can NEVER be applied to art,
art lies BEYOND economics; quantity always follows from quality.

Q: Is physicality more real than virtuality? And must art be one of
these or both?
A: Art is a REALITY in itself and can APPEAR in every possible
manifestation.

Q: What about promiscuity of information in cyberspace?
A: Promiscuity of information in artificial neural nets is SIMPLE
compared to the promiscuity of information in the HUMAN brain;
beware of MYSTIFICATION and HYPE - consult Lawrence Weiner as well.

Martin Sjardijn Amsterdam The Hague
http://www.xs4all.nl/~sjardijn
http://www.denhaag.org/~sjardijn
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