World Changing Post #7

Art Meets Technology- Page 96

Rebecca Tulis

For my last response, I chose to read Art Meets Technology. I thought that this article was about how today’s technology is created with the help of the art. I was to find out that that wasn’t the case and it was more about how artists are using technology to create works of art that are able to change people’s perceptions.These works of art are not just a way to commentate on society but to strive for environmental awareness.

The article uses the example of a “hug shirt,” a shirt that allows one to feel the warmth and comfort of a hug. The “hug shirt” is a creative idea that allows a person to feel happier. However, another example used makes more of a statement is the game “Disaffected!” This game was made for the player to control employees and deal with problems that may come his or her way. But most of all it was made to send a message about consumption. Finally, the article referred to two different examples that promote environmental awareness. The first one is a recording device that has to do with a person’s environment and how they are interacting with it. This is a good way to allow someone to have more of a connection with his or her environment. The other example is Carbon- sniffing robot that essentially reads carbon dioxide levels in a room. It shows us the reality of how we are poisoning our air.

Reading about art and technology, I have come to the conclusion that while technology can be important to the way we lives our lives, it is up to the artists of the world to make statements about society and communicate it. Some look down on technology for how it has hurt our environment but sometimes it is necessary in order to inform the world of our mistakes.

Steffen, Alex. World Changing: A User's Guider for the 21st Century. New York: Abrams, 2008