ART & THE GALLERY : DISPLAYING THE NEW MEDIA (ELECTRONIC ARTS)

Abstract

New technology has given rise to new types of media for artists to express themselves. One of which is in the electronics field. These artforms include computer controlled environments (responsive environment1 ), on-line art, computer animation, electronic sculpture, holograms, computer prints, virtual reality, computer generated art and a combination of conventional and new media. Instead of just using our sense of sight and touch as when appreciating conventional art pieces, some of these new artforms would include a unity of our other senses and active participation in a responsive environment It is the Singapore government's policy to create a more culturally and socially aware society and effort has been made to promote the more conventional arts. Yet it is lacking in the area of the more advanced arts. Most of the ongoing historical development of this new art is in the West Technology cannot be ignored in today's highly advanced context, and it would be prudent to understand our relationship with the machine as not only functional and rational but as a harmonious blend of art and science. Art portrays a society's dreams and aspirations and as a whole makes us aware of our human existence. Science is too rational and cold if not balanced by the soul. Thus it is to our society's benefit to understand technology in relation to art. The main objectives of the proposed Electronic Art Center (EAC) is to provide appropriate spaces to exhibit and assist to promote understanding of the new art This thesis addresses two main issues. Firstly is to use architecture to establish an engagement between the art and the public, thus assist in exposing the artform into the public domain. The EAC is located in a historical site with proposed museum and art facilities (see appendix). The government is attempting to create a cultural precinct. The architecture will respond to the site forces to facilitate meetings between the art and the public, thus the integration of circulation patterns into the building. In terms of form and scale, the building must not destroy the ambiance and context of the site. Secondly, the architecture will explore the spatial qualities which may portray the new art forms in terms of it's nature and practical requirements. There are many catagories of the new art The EAC also will attempt to categorize the different art types to allow easier public understanding.