Questions on new media art

1.Dada and new media art both described as reactions. What did they react to?

Both Dada and new media react to the the digitization of cultural forms and information technology revolution.

2.What are some similarities of new media art to Dada, Pop art and Video art?

Some similarities are they all engaged with the commercial culture like advertisements and        magazines. They all focus on the concepts rather than the representation or skills. Also, the internet serves as a tool for them to explore the changing relationship between technology and culture. 

3.When was net art first included in a major exhibition: Documenta X?

   1997 

4.Is new media art focused in one country? Why or why not?

No, because internet serves as a worldwide channel for new media art to spread. For example there is email lists or different communication websites for people to spread the arts, for promotion or even exhibitions. 

5.Why were many artists drawn to new media art from other disciplines?

Many artists were drawn to new media art from other disciplines because computer and the internet has been globalized. There is a widespread use of internet, which become one of the most popular thing that people will engage in. Other than this made the new media art convenient to the artist but can also have more audiences easily. 

Comment on Mark Napier's "Shredder"

The Shredder by Mark Napier is a digital artwork that changes the outlook of a normal web page.
Firstly, formal instructions can be found here in the work, you have to follow the instructions or rules to get the work change. Here we can see that changing the outlook is actually being fixed.

Secondly, the work places more importance on the concept rather than the art object. As we can see that the words and images in the work cannot be seen clearly or being distorted, we can assume that the objects are not the real focus. From Mark, the work is to "present the global internet structure as a chaotic, irrational, raucous collage". This confirmed that the concept and idea is put on the top priority rather than the distorted images or words and lines.

Thirdly, the work places importance on the event and audience participation. This work will only work when someone type in a link, so the participation of audience is a must. The audience somehow contribute to the final appearance of the Shredder.

Fourthly, the Shredder also has an interest in random events and or chance. Audience can type in whatever links they want freely. This is by randomness to make the work perform.

Lastly, borrowing and appropriation are part of Shredder too. It has to appropriate data from other websites to make it a parallel web. And in order to make the final look, it has to borrow other websites to display the distorted images and words.

comment on documentary

1. According to the film, what are some pros and cons of playing video games for individuals and societies?

Let me start with cons, individually, video games especially the violence one may develop a kid or teenager or even an adult to be a violent person. In the long run, this may cause potential danger to their families or even the society. And some pros, video games may serve as a way to relax, or even a way for learning.

2. According to the film, is there any evidence that digital games can encourage aggressive values and anti-social actions in the real world? Do you agree?

Yes, according to the film, since some subjects of the digital games are promoting aggressive actions, for example wars. This may promote a thinking to the players that they have to be aggressive in order to get something. And there are even some games involving killing, shooting, these may all provide aggressive values to the players.  And this also applies to anti-social actions, as digital games players involve in the digital world, they may not distinguish between the reality and the digital. In the long term, they may be totally engaged in the digital and develop anti-social values and thus actions.

3. Should the governments have the right to ban a certain game or place age restrictions on it? Why?

Although digital games contain potential danger to individual and the society, I think the government does not hold the right to ban any of the games. However, I agree that having restrictions are acceptable. There should be restriction on the violent games on teenager under 18, as they may develop dangerous thinking if they engage in the violent world since they are young. This may help to keep our society safe.