Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology [Hardcover]

Stephen Wilson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 026223209X | ISBN-13: 978-0262232098 | Publication Date: November 30, 2001 | Edition: 1st

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 Web sites.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If art is our most reliable oracle, then the future looks cool, digital, and expensive. Stephen Wilson's massive Information Arts compiles notes on and samples of the work of over 200 artists, organized loosely by scientific discipline. Artists drawing inspiration from cell cultures, GPS, robots, surveillance databases, and other technological muses receive a page or two of commentary, often including their own statements and critical reviews.

The image selection is only adequate and often puzzling--why show a photograph of an installation meant to be experienced in total darkness, for example? Still, as a reference and resource guide, Information Arts is without parallel, especially for the largest section, covering computer-related or -aided artworks. Deep research, engaging prose, and copious listings of further information make it essential for exploring the avant. --Rob Lightner

Review

"Wilson...has bravely tried to survey the entire intersection of the arts and the sciences."
— Mike Holderness, New Scientist

"An admirable compendium of work....The book's roster reads like a who's who of international scenemakers."
— Wired

"This book is marvelous in its scope, very important and timely, and very thoroughly researched. The author sets out to map the extremely complex and layered area of intersection between art, science, and technology. He accomplishes this by thinking through the parameters of his topic with much first-hand experience, insight, and care, and by being inclusive with examples."
—Nell Tenhaaf, electronic media artist and Professor, York University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1024 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; 1st edition (November 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 026223209X
• ISBN-13: 978-0262232098
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.1 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,464,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Reference - Fine line to Hubris...., January 29, 2002

By 

M. Gotsis "kirki" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology (Hardcover)

This book is organized in two parts: theory and name-throwing. The theory parts are at times interesting, at times obscure and redundant. They precede chapters full of names, (supposedly big names) in the "information arts". To be fair, Wilson collected a huge database of names to be included in this volume and it serves a purpose. It is a good starting point for someone to look up people and their work. Not enough descriptions of what people do unfortunately. At least the names are highlighted and indexed so you can quickly go through it and pick up names. It is a name book...and a good stroke to many people's egos, including Wilson's who doesn't omit himself and the "I...once upon a time" reference to himself and his greatness. Being that there is nothing else like it out there, it is a good addition to one's reference shelf. But don't rely on it to measure greatness and don't hold your breath for super-exciting theory you haven't read before. Quite an undertaking, and with omissions which at least Wilson admits to. Give it a try. The pictures are not that great. If anything, they take away from the "mystique" of the who-is-who rather than add to it.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lotsa cool stuff, February 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology (Hardcover)

I really liked this book. I'm interested in computer art but Information Arts shows that is just the top of the iceberg -- artists dancing in zero gravity, learning how to change the patterns on butterfly wings, reclaiming toxic waste dumps, planting chips in their body, making radioactive sculptures, breeding artificial life.... You really begin to get a glimpse of what kind of art is coming down the road.

I appreciated the systematic way the book dealt with all these topics. There are chapters on art exploring biology, particle physics, space art, mathematical art, artificial life, etc. The author seemed to work hard to find artists from all over the world coming at it from different points of view. Also each section also offers a review of relevant theory, and seemed very fair in its attempt to offer a full range of opinions.

There are two kinds of artist sections in the book - multipage sections with an image and samples of the artists' writing, and shorter sections of a few lines. I wish there were more details on the less described artists but then the book would have been bigger than its already huge 1000 pages. Also, I wish the images were color. The author provides web links for all the artists. It's a great starting point, although it could have used tighter editing (still it's great exercise equipment!).

1.0 out of 5 stars Glorified List!, September 19, 2007

By 

Sharchitect (Vancouver BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology (Leonardo Book Series) (Paperback)

This book is simply an extensive list of artist biographies with a brief summary of their work. It is a "Who's who" reference of artists working with science/technology based media. It does not have good examples (photos) or explorations of the art works.