Art and Artists in the Digital Age

Art and Artists in the Digital Age

The creativity that has resulted from technology and the use of electronic devices is exciting!  I was filled with excitement when I saw the video of Atomic Tom LIVE perform on the NYC subway.  Picture this – an old subway, typical rider and riders and all of a sudden a new song breaks out but there are no instruments.  At least there are no traditional instruments in sight.  If you are far sighted you may have not even noticed the iPhones that actually served as the microphone, guitar, keyboard and ultimately the editor for the song.  Or, how about using stick like figures and digital technology to deliver a powerful message about toxins and cosmetics via a seven minute film?  I love these examples of people taking advantage of the digital age in which we live, especially when they are conveying positive social messages or educating the public.  The comic book “Bound by Law” is a great example of creative education.  What a great way to educate the public about law, art, property and their role in the digital age.   As artist we need to understand all of this since we find ourselves performing and producing in a remix culture and a global culture.  Did you know that you are “stealing” work and violating copyright laws when you download an episode of Saturday Night Live on You Tube?  The economy of entire countries are being threatened by people breaking the rules, rules such as piracy.  Piracy has all but killed the film industry in Hong Kong.  Imagine the impact on their film artists.  They are being negatively impacted by the digital age.  Yet, when you consider the story of Issa, you see a woman who is determined to thrive in this digital age.  I’m of the Issa type.  I am making this digital age work for me as a  young artist.  Issa allows downloading of her music for free.  She has become a model of “reinventing the way musicians sustain themselves in the Internet era.”  I will do such creative and smart things when I produce my first CD.  I will be like Progos when he said in reference to his dispute with Disney, “if I have to pay to watch it entertain millions of people, then so be it.”  Now, there are legal and fair-use creative remixes that have captured our attention.  For example, the video “Donald Duck Meets Glenn Beck in Right Wing Radio Duck” has been allowed by Disney.  Apparently they don’t view it as harmful.  As artist we need to know what is considered harmful and lawbreaking vs what is permissible under the law.  Remixing, for example, is a product of the digital age and is popular.  However, it can also be viewed in many cases as violating copyright, intellectual property and fair use laws.  There are pros and cons, benefits and pitfalls, good and bad in this digital age.  As an artist, I am focused on the benefits and becoming educated as to not make a big, costly mistake.