Arts covers human practices throughout history that usually express creativity, a product of that creativity, or storytelling. As such, it has always been a part of human civilization. Its form and media changed, as have our modes of doing, thinking, and being. As a result, we continuously re-defined art by improvising, experimenting, self-reflection, or criticism, and available tools and mediums. Technology also made it easier or cheaper to produce and preserve art, and more widespread and culturally accepted and appreciated. With that said, let’s analyze how technology is integrated in arts.
Visual arts
Let’s examine the impact of technology on visual arts first:
Drawing and painting
Drawing and painting both show the obvious presence of technology is integrated in arts:
Production and transformation
Gone are the days when artists spent days in art studios in solitude. While they can still do that, nowadays they can take pictures of the art, or create it entirely digitally anywhere they go with computers, smartphones, and tablets. Better yet, they can manipulate or completely transform said art through photo editing software and apps, with very little experience. Such apps, besides a whole host of useful tools, also include tips and tips and tutorials from leading artists worldwide. So, as far as these two are concerned, technology made a positive effect on labor, time consumption, price, and ecology.
Self-assessment and tracking
Artists benefit from self-reflection, and instead of having canvases pile up, they can create digital portfolios of finished work, and make them private, invitation-only, or public. Even better, artists can now have hundreds, if not thousands of WIP (work in progress) pieces, switch between them, or combine them effortlessly. This also helps with the organization – their creative process is sometimes all over the place.
Peer-to-peer assessment and collaboration
Another benefit of digital portfolios is that they serve as promotions. This can lead to commissions, something that required expensive gallery space, special events, and connections. It can also bring reviews, suggestions, and even collaborations with fellow artists. The last option used to be impossible or very hard in the past without technology. To collaborate, artists had to be physically present and then either bump into each other or take turns. Nowadays, technology and the Internet made it possible for hundreds of artists from across the globe to contribute to the same art piece, simultaneously or in increments. Do we need to mention art-based social media or forums that significantly raised the potential of cooperation?
Staying in touch with teachers or professionals
Besides the ability to enroll in online art courses, the pros and cons of which we covered, communicating with teachers used to be time-consuming, limited, and frankly, very formal. Nowadays students can contact their teachers via chat, e-mail, or phone. They can also share their digital portfolios with teachers, giving them an insight into what they’re working on at any point. This invites instructions, true, but also conversation and constructive criticism, often in real-time. It also gives the student a chance to document and upload their thought process in text, audio, or video form.
Photography and film-making
Do we even need to say mobile phones have cameras that can record in 4K resolution, the same resolution professionals release billion-dollar blockbusters in? While professional cameras are in no way cheap, they’re more affordable than in the past. This resulted in the rise of indie and feature films. We’ll asl remind you that software for video editing can make an outstanding difference even with poor material or low resolution, at a very low cost and experience requirement. The same goes for photo editing software, which is becoming exceedingly advanced. For example, it implements AI-assisted technologies such as image upscaling, automatic background removal (think green screen without one), face changing, or Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
Sculpting
Technology has revolutionized every part of sculpting. Artists can easily translate their ideas into 3D computer models. Furthermore, they can specify dimensions, run virtual creation tests, and often get suggestions in the software. After they render the model, they can send it to a 3D printer, plasma cutter, CNC machine, and other machines for manufacturing with extreme precision. If direct production isn’t possible, artists can also create meticulous virtual 3D molds.
Performing arts
Here are 2 ways technology is integrated in arts, dramatic and musical:
Music
It’s hard to deny that underground or indie music is booming. Musicians can now cheaply build home studios using professional-grade audio equipment. Additionally, they can simulate different musical instruments, noises, and sounds, and combine them. And let’s not forget multi-track recording – only a few decades ago, artists had to record everything in one take. Additionally, musical artists can insert samples from tracks dating back hundreds of years, change their pitch (think: autotune), and apply sound effects. In fact, many of the world’s best DJs make the majority of music from their bedrooms or hotel rooms. Also, AI-assisted audio technology is slowly implemented into audio editing software for PC and Mac, and even apps for Android and iOS apps. Finally, the Internet has provided a way to distribute recording on a massive scale. Artists can also upload tracks to streaming platforms, and earn revenue from every listen.
Theater
The most obvious sign of technological advancements in theater is lighting. By this, we mean the introduction of LED. It’s incredibly energy-efficient, more powerful, and adjustable in color, size, and brightness. Also, instead of hot glue, foam, and X-acto blades, sets can now be 3D-printed ahead of time and replicated with precision. Theater productions now incorporate cranes and rigs more often, which makes for stunning visual effects. Costume designers can now use computers, clay, or 3D printers, and mass-produce necessary clothing and props. Audio is another key part – boom microphones are now lighter while lapel mics are invisible, high-quality, and wireless, as are Bluetooth earpieces for feeding lines. Speaking of audio, sound design is easier to set up and more effective for both the audience and the actors. Theaters have slowly introduced dramaturgy too – the use of dry vapor smell, making the viewers’ experience more enjoyable and immersive.