SXSW 2012 - Art and Technology Are Old Pals

Art and Technology Are Old Pals
Event	Interactive 2011
Format	Solo
Organizer	Dave Olson – Uncle Weed
Description	Throughout history, technological innovation has occasionally spurred significant artistic progress. From Van Gogh’s early tubed oil paints to the real-time communication of CB radios, this presentation will explore examples in over the past centuries in which scientific innovation sparked significant cultural events. By looking at historical predecessors, we’ll trace the cultural origins of contemporary communication and publishing tools. Examples and anecdotes will include HD Thoreau’s creation of modern graphite pencil, the early days of the mountain bike industry, the last telegram ever sent, the rise and fall of Word Perfect. Using a suitcase full of artifacts, we’ll collectively discuss points in time when the chasm between art and tech was crossed with significant results and find ways how one medium has influenced another. In particular, we’ll seek examples of short form conversational medium including postcards and wooden drums. By examining examples of art and tech co-operating, we’ll also seek ways to balance seemingly-opposed disciplines to foster multi-disciplinarian skills for creation and invention.
Questions Answered	What are some points in history when art and technology came together at "just the right time"? What are some historical examples with similar characteristics to contemporary web tools? What indicators and ingredients seem to create cataclysmic artistic breakthroughs? Based on these ingredients and indicators, what mediums might we see in the coming years? How can we bridge the cranial hemispheres to foster multi-disciplinary thinking?
Level	Intermediate
Category	History of Technology
Tags	art, Creativity, storytelling

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Art and Technology Are Old Pals