Information Arts
Information Arts
Stephen Wilson
A new breed of contemporary artist engages science and technology—not just to adopt the vocabulary and gizmos, but to explore and comment on the content, agendas, and possibilities. Indeed, proposes Stephen Wilson, the role of the artist is not only to interpret and to spread scientific knowledge, but to be an active partner in determining the direction of research. Years ago, C. P. Snow wrote about the “two cultures” of science and the humanities; these developments may finally help to change the outlook of those who view science and technology as separate from the general culture.
In this rich compendium, Wilson offers the first comprehensive survey of international artists who incorporate concepts and research from mathematics, the physical sciences, biology, kinetics, telecommunications, and experimental digital systems such as artificial intelligence and ubiquitous computing. In addition to visual documentation and statements by the artists, Wilson examines relevant art-theoretical writings and explores emerging scientific and technological research likely to be culturally significant in the future. He also provides lists of resources including organizations, publications, conferences, museums, research centers, and websites.
Available
2002
978-0-262-73158-4
Study
The MIT Press
Stephen Wilson
Stephen Wilson is a San Francisco author, artist and professor who explores the cultural implications of new technologies. His interactive installations and performances have been shown internationally in galleries and SIGGRAPH, CHI, NCGA, Ars Electronica, and V2 art shows.
His computer mediated art works probe issues such as World Wide Web and telecommunications; artificial intelligence and robotics; hypermedia and the structure of information; GPS and the sense of place; synthetic voice; biological and environmental sensing.
He won the Prize of Distinction in Ars Electronica’s international competitions for interactive art and several honorary mentions and in is Head of the Conceptual and Information Arts program at San Francisco State University.
He has been an artist in residence at Xerox PARC and NTT Research labs, a developer for Apple, Articulate Systems and other companies and a principal investigator in National Science Foundation research projects to investigate the relationship of new technologies to education.
Other publications include “Information Arts:Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology” (MIT Press, 2002), “World Wide Web Design Guide” (Hayden, 1995), “Multimedia Design with HyperCard” (Prentice Hall, 1991), “Using Computers to Create Art” (Prentice Hall, 1986), as well as numerous articles exploring the intersection of art.