We normally think of the arts as very different from technologies in spite of the fact that art (with perhaps a few exceptions) is practiced with the help of technology. This practice creates interdependence between technology and art. To what extent does art respond to, or is shaped by, the technology that enables it? To what extent have advanced and accessible digital technologies, such as websites, digital photography, and YouTube, changed the relationship between art and technology? Are these technologies reshaping our attitudes toward artists?

The focus for our first discussion topic is the relationship between technology and art. To start our discussion let’s address the following questions. To what extent does art respond to, or is shaped by, the technology that enables it? To what extent have advanced and accessible digital technologies, such as websites, digital photography, and YouTube, changed the relationship between art and technology.

I believe it was Michel Foucault who said that once an artist has produced a work of art, then he or she has lost control of their work.  In other words, it is not so much what the artist says about the work, rather it is how the social audience response to that work.  For example, it appears that Johnny Depp’s recent film where he played the role of Tonto was not totally accepted by the audience.   In other words, once a work of art has been produced, it takes on a life of its own (think here of alienation of labor or the process of commodification) independent of the producer.