Technology has created a radical change to painting. The privileged place painting and sculpture held in hierarchy of art disciplines since the Renaissance has vanished. Actually I'm kind of pumped about that, and I say "it's about time." The autonomous genius artist pumping out work to be worshipped by the masses is gone. At least for the most part. If you have a inkjet printer and some rudimentary knowledge of how to paint on a canvas you can simulate a fairly convincing original painting. Maybe it's possible to even mimic genius, if there is such a thing as genius? I guess I think everyone is a genius in one way or another, just like I think everyone is an artist in one way or another.
Now a days, with a digital camera, photoshop software, acrylic paint and inkjet printer and canvas you can simulate all sorts of paintings. You can also buy a 3D printer and knock out one sculpture after another without ever moving a thing but clicking print with your index finger.
Really? I'm not complaining. I figure all this change is good for art making in general. I've always been kind of amazed at why people collect art. Here are a couple of reasons that make sense to me… If it helps you think or feel or helps you believe in the invisible and eternal.
Is how it's made important? That's a question I'm still trying to answer….
Visual memes.
