Chapter 3 Digital Art

Chapter 3 was easier to follow than previous chapters. Christiane Paul does a good job at giving brief backgrounds and introductions of each theme discussed in the digital arts. Paul acknowledges that "the attempt to give a survey of all the themes addressed by art employing the digital medium is beyond the scope of this book, and the topics outlined in this chapter are meant as the main coordinates of a larger territory or inquiry. Two topics I found interesting were body and identity and mobile and locative media. I think it's crazy how much technology has affected how we view ourselves, whether that be how we physically view ourselves or mentally see ourselves as individuals. Our physical existence and virtual existence are complex opposites. Physically we can only be in one place at one time, but virtually we can be anywhere, anytime. "Online identity allows a simultaneous presence in various spaces and contexts, a constant 'reproduction' of the self without body". Mobile and locative media is a more recent theme to enter into the digital arts. I like the idea behind smartmobs and flashmobs, it made me think about past groups of people and artists who've assembled at random to perform a public work.