Music 256A:: Week 8 Reading
Derek Chung
Music 256A
Week 8 Reading
One of the things Artful Design does is break away from this view. With all the preconceptions and inherent properties surrounding the digital world, it's no surprise that artistry is one of the last characteristics that come to mind when we think of computers. It's true that systems, which are restricted by 0s and 1s, are the exact opposite of art, where there's infinite room for expression.
Or is it?
On a piano, for example, there are only 88 keys present. What makes this instrument artistic are the ways in which we combine the notes to create something beautiful. You could make the argument that technology, at a fundamental level, is an instrument. A bunch of 0s and 1s within arrays don't mean anything, but if you put those numbers in a certain sequence, you could create almost anything. In this way, every program that exists is actually a form of art.
This would contradict the principle within the book that states 'Technology is always a means to an end." I think this principle may be slightly misleading, as it implies that all programs were created for a purpose. An interesting idea that could be added to the manifesto is: "Technology in itself is art, and therefore, can be an ends in itself". If technology is an instrument, as the book also states, I believe that technology can make music. We just have to be able to see that - and I think that this is artful design.
In my opinion, artful design is when we can recognize that there's an 'instrument' whenever we create, regardless of the meaning. When we compose and perform a piece on this instrument, we are aware of all of the instrument's capabilities. However, we base our interpretation and composition based on creativity and thoughtfulness. We engage our audience with our performance of our piece, and make an impact that feels like an ends in itself - something you don't have to explain in words, but something that everyone should feel after listening to your piece. This is what I try to do when I perform at a recital.
Except, in our book, the piano is not the instrument. Technology is the instrument, but the same princplies still apply. These principles are what I believe to be artful design.
Music 256A
Week 8 Reading
Chapter 8: Manifesto
The overarching theme I got from the manifesto, and by extension, the entire book 'Artful Design', is to see technology in a different light from the societal norm. Today, technology and it's establishments are being portrayed as flawed and complicated. I was listening to a roundtable discussion on government and tech, and one of the main points was that many people within government see technology as a means to invade people's privacy. Then, these officials advocate for policies that don't make sense because they don't have a basic understanding of how to regulate the industry. From some people's point of view, this only reinforces the idea that tech increases efficiency, but is inherently flawed and complicated to understand.One of the things Artful Design does is break away from this view. With all the preconceptions and inherent properties surrounding the digital world, it's no surprise that artistry is one of the last characteristics that come to mind when we think of computers. It's true that systems, which are restricted by 0s and 1s, are the exact opposite of art, where there's infinite room for expression.
Or is it?
On a piano, for example, there are only 88 keys present. What makes this instrument artistic are the ways in which we combine the notes to create something beautiful. You could make the argument that technology, at a fundamental level, is an instrument. A bunch of 0s and 1s within arrays don't mean anything, but if you put those numbers in a certain sequence, you could create almost anything. In this way, every program that exists is actually a form of art.
This would contradict the principle within the book that states 'Technology is always a means to an end." I think this principle may be slightly misleading, as it implies that all programs were created for a purpose. An interesting idea that could be added to the manifesto is: "Technology in itself is art, and therefore, can be an ends in itself". If technology is an instrument, as the book also states, I believe that technology can make music. We just have to be able to see that - and I think that this is artful design.
In my opinion, artful design is when we can recognize that there's an 'instrument' whenever we create, regardless of the meaning. When we compose and perform a piece on this instrument, we are aware of all of the instrument's capabilities. However, we base our interpretation and composition based on creativity and thoughtfulness. We engage our audience with our performance of our piece, and make an impact that feels like an ends in itself - something you don't have to explain in words, but something that everyone should feel after listening to your piece. This is what I try to do when I perform at a recital.
Except, in our book, the piano is not the instrument. Technology is the instrument, but the same princplies still apply. These principles are what I believe to be artful design.
