Creativity, Influence, Ownership and Art in the Digital Age

Digital Media is important to study and understand because “it changes everything.”  Digital media for my parents’ generation was primarily focused on analog vs digital.  For my generation it’s more about using electronic devices and other technology to transform the world of art and frankly, to transform the world itself.  It’s about taking advantage of the “new media revolution” that we find ourselves in the middle of.  Manovich described this revolution as “the shift of all culture to computer-mediated forms of production, distribution, and communication.”  I’m a young leader in this revolution.  As an artist, the computer and electronic devices play a significant role in how I make music.  I use digital media to do what “I” want to do.  It makes me more creative and seems to give me a sense of ownership for my product.  Being a hands on person, I am more attached to the things that I touch and create.  For example, making music on my iPhone or recording and mixing a CD on my Mac gives me an incredible sense of influence and ownership.  The great thing is that no matter how advanced the device or technology, I still know that “I” am in control…not the device.  The device is not the art, it is simply a method.  I agree with Jonathan Lethem when he said, “digital sampling is an art method like any other, neutral in itself.”   I believe that creativity and ownership are the keys to an artist’s success.  And while, I don’t like the fact that The Universal Music Group came after the mother of an 18 month old, I understand that Prince is a creative artist that owns his unique sound.  I wouldn’t want anyone posting a You Tube video with my music playing in the background, without my permission.  As Lawrence Lessig reminds us we must always be mindful of the copyright rules and wars that have become more prevalent in this new media age.  When thinking of creativity and digital media and the proper use of You Tube, “Girls Talk” comes to mind.  It is a great example of taking something common, a stage, and using it in a creative way to captivate the crowd.  The stage set up was incredible with a two-story, five room house built on stage.  But it wasn’t just the set up…it was the use of new digital media coupled with creativity that transformed the venue.  For example, using a LCD curtain to surround the house and lighting up the kitchen floor to be a disco dance floor was a stroke of simple genius.  There was nothing new about a stage, a house or the music.  I agree with Steven Dixon when he talked about the computer being an agent to remediate old and established artistic forms.  While the tools maybe new and “21^st century”, the art is not.  Digital media both enhances the old and electrifies the new.  It can help the artist to powerfully present his creativity, influence and ownership.