Perspectivism

I find a point of departure by considering Nietzsche’s concept of ‘perspectivism’- [1]

“In so far as the word “knowledge” has any meaning, the world is knowable; but it is interpretable otherwise, it has no meaning behind it, but countless meanings.”

In creating art work I must acknowledge my position with in an art institution (with particular emphasis on the Electronic Arts Department), my community and the wider ‘globalized’ community. My interests, ideals and conclusions are products of that position, and my experience within society.

In order to achieve a better understanding of my practice and its place within a wider media arts structure, I must recognize the historical, political and social aspects of the medium and engage critically with there often interweaving concepts. I intend to explore various challenges currently facing the media arts environ. By analyzing the relationship between technology and art, I will reinforce the relevance of Camus’ ‘creative rebellion’ to ‘(new)media’ arts, as a means to confront this struggle.

Here it is important to define my use of the terms ‘media’ and ‘new media’ art works. I locate this within contemporary media art theorist Geert Lovink’s, ‘New Media, Art and Science: Explorations beyond the Official Discourse’;

“New media arts are not a single entity. It is 'searching' and does not primarily focus on grand narratives or finished works that can be purchased in a gallery. They are forms in search of a form.”[2]

Nietzsche’s dictum that nothing with a history can be defined can also be applied here. There is often a rush within art structures to pigeon-hole works of art by medium, this, as new media theorist Lev Manovich describes this “can be detrimental to society.”[3] The emphasis of this project is on exploration, and my freedom and responsibility as an artist.

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[1] Nietzsche, Friedrich. 1968. The Will to Power: In Science, Nature, Society and Art. London: Random House, p 36

[2] Lovink, Geert. 2005. New Media, Art and Science: Explorations beyond the Official Discourse. In Empires, Ruins + Networks, ed. Scott McQuire/Nikos Papastergiadis, 72-3, Melbourne, University of Melbourne Press.

[3]Manovich, Lev. 2001. The Language of New Media. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, p 11.