Jason Van Anden
Since 2004
Works in Brooklyn, New York United States of America

ARTBASE (2)
BIO
Jason Van Anden is a new media activist, artist, inventor and robot maker. His creations are exhibited internationally, receiving recognition in the art, science, technology and gaming communities. More about Jason and his work can be found at his website www.smileproject.com.
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DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION

Re: Questioning the Frame


Works for me.

J

Pall Thayer wrote:

> why don't we just call it "Slightly unfamiliar new contemporary
> (post)
> modern media art stuff". So that would make me a "Slightly unfamiliar
> new contemporary (post) modern media art guy".

DISCUSSION

Re: Questioning the Frame


Pall,

"Unfamiliar" is to "New" as "Contemporary" is to "Modern".
"Contemporary Art" does not suggest we are unfamiliar with paint.

> Actually, in the context of art there really isn't much new to what's
> going on and I agree, media along with art is redundant. So it's all
> just "art" and we are just "artists". Also, not many people in todays
> world are "unfamiliar" with computers and the internet.
>
> Pall

Joy,

I noticed that you used last names instead of first names. Is this the correct protocol? I wasn't sure - using first names did not feel right though.

Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com

DISCUSSION

Re: Questioning the Frame


Perhaps the communication breakdown here stems from the term "new" attached to "media" and "art".

New is the new contemporary is the new modern...

We ought to be more careful about what we attach the word "new" to. Often, "new" asserts that a revolution has taken place - that the rules have completely changed in such a way that what occurred before no longer matters. This is the main concern that I responded to, regardless of the hard evidence presented.

I would like to propose that we use the word "unfamilar" instead to refer to artistic expressions that implement recently available technologies. "Unfamiliar" is a lot more humble, and takes into account that its existence is simply different from what came before.

I actually have the same problem with the word "media" - which seems redundant attached to "art", but I have to get to work on my next unfamilar work of art.

Jason Van Anden
Unfamiliar Artist
www.smileproject.com

DISCUSSION

Re: Questioning the Frame


Wow. Thank you Coco (c/o Dominique).

I think that everyone in this forum ought to read this article. It is incredibly insightful and very well stated (I wish I could write like her). This kind of introspection is required no matter what the discourse. The title brings the article perfectly into focus.

History is given the license to repeat itself because of "revolutions" that blindly seek to one-up the knowledge that preceeded it. Whether this is motivated by arrogance or ignorance... I suppose does not really matter.

Oil paint was "new-media" at some point.

Careful: what's old is new.

Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com