Writing on Interactive Art
On the occasion of Nathaniel Stern’s recent thoughtful review of Act/React for Rhizome, I’d like to open the discussion of how – and sometimes if – our medium gets reviewed. Nathaniel’s review is an exception to most journalism I’ve seen on the medium of interactive art, and, more specifically, physically interactive art. A majority of reviews simply describe the work without criticality or insight; or focus on the novelty and technical aspects of the work. Sometimes the reviews are delegated to technology writers, rather than arts or culture writers (of course some writers gracefully cross these boundaries, such as Matthew Mirapaul, formerly of the New York Times Arts@Large column).
I’m explicitly excluding the writing of great curators of new media art here, such as Christiane Paul, to focus on professional writers and journalists. To point out another notable exception that many in the U.S. may not be aware of, I’d like to note Lucy Bullivant, author of 4DSocial and Responsive Environments. Do any of our readers here have comments on writing about digital art and physically interactive art?
Do you have any pointers to other good writers working today? And for art writers out there reading this, good sources for them to be able to write more critically informed commentary? Or please prove me wrong with links to other great writing and writers.
Scott Snibbe
2 Responses to “Writing on Interactive Art”
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Scott
Good question. I’ve been thinking about it since I read it. Interestingly my best suggestion dates back to the early 70’s. I think that one of the best writers on New Media is Calvin Thomkins. I refer again and again to two of his essays, collected in his (now out of print) book, The Scene (Viking, 1976). His essays on Experiments in Art and Technology (E A T) and Nam June Paik (Video Visionary) are still two of the best essays ever written on the subject. Originally appearing in the New Yorker, these early essays on new media and video art are amazing in their understanding on these emerging art forms.
Hi George, Scott, et al. I only just saw this post on the blog – thank you to both of you for putting me in such good company with regards to my writing. I hope to do more of it, perhaps with both of your work again, in the future! Best, N