Pushing the Limits with Computers

Chapter 38 deals a lot with modern technology and how artists have used it to create completely new and fresh styles of art. Most of it would not be possible without the invention of the computer. Computers now play an essential role in making life easier for not only artists, but also for people like architects and businessmen. For businessmen, computers allow for the transfer of information over long distances. In turn, businesses adapted to a term called globalism which means to spread across the world.

For artists, many new possibilities became available due to computers. One example of this could be video art. Like synthesizers alter sound, the videosynthesizer was invented to alter the shape and color of video images making a whole new artform possible. In addition, computers advanced this idea of art even further with digital art. In this artform, computers are used as the primary tool in creating things like animations, virtual reality, and game art. Not only that, but computers allow for large databases to be stored which holds the contents of virtually an inifinite amount of information. Museums have taken advantage of this and can display all of their exhibits over the internet so that they can be accessed by anyone.

Without computers, many of the big blockbuster motion pictures that come out nowadays using CGI effects would be impossible. An example of these amazing computer animated effects can be seen in the recent Transformer movies.

Also, the recent trend for movies as well as video games is making everything in 3-D. Everyday artists are using computers to see how far they can go with coming up with new and exciting ways to entertain viewers.

Electronic Music

Since the late 1950's when John Cage first began to tamper with sounds made from things other than traditional instruments, electronic music has made a huge impact on music in the last 60 years. This movement started with the genre called musique concrete which incorporated electronic equipment to create new sounds from instruments. Later on the synthesizer was invented allowing musicians to use a vast range of frequencies.

The synthesizer and other computerized electronic instruments now dominate the musical world of today. In nearly every genre currently, there is some degree of use of electronic sound or recording to get the finished songs we all hear. You can discover the use of the synthesizer in countless types of music like pop, rock, hip hop, and even heavy metal. There have even been genres of music created solely because of electronic sounds and rhythm like techno and electronica. Here is a sample of what I'm talking about:

As you can see, the synthesizer can be incorporated into certain styles of music to provide a very unique sound to help musicians stand out. It can also completely dominate a song to give artists the ability to not only create the music, but also single-handedly perform it.

Also, when it comes to performing, the use of electronic technology has also changed the way artists can present their music on stage. Nowadays, people expect to not only be entertained from what they hear, but also by what they see. The use of fancy lighting and laser light shows is a necessity to satisfy audiences that want an experience for all of their senses. A prime example of this is the Trans-Siberian orchestra.