Imagination of Ryan Simmons

This new feature of my blog submits one question to ten of the most intelligent, creative and interesting people I know. The group will change from week to week and responses to the question will be published in multiple installments throughout the week.

The Question: As technology has evolved, tools for creative expression have become more accessible than ever. Do you believe that this has broadened the definition of art? Why or why not?”

The Contributors

Megan Collier is a creativity ambassador, memory keeper instructor, and crafty inspirationalist who is dishing out doses of creative goodness at The Everlasting Present. She is passionate about helping people practice the art of life documentation through pictures + words.

Thomas Kaericher is the hilarious mind behind Ask Tom Sh*t. He likes to read and write, take pictures with film, build electronic instruments, and make music.
(Editor’s Note: Tom is a genius of sorts in my opinion.)

Megan Collier says:

Tolstoy defined art as ” a human activity consisting in this, that one man consciously, by means of certain external signs, hands on to others feelings he has lived through, and that other people are infected by these feelings and also experience them.” I wholeheartedly agree with this definition.

If you are speaking in terms of the conventional definition of “art” then the answer is yes. Digital media and emerging technologies have allowed for more interpretations of what is and is not “art”. So long as there is creation, I believe that depending on a person’s perception of art the discussion of whether a project is art, design, or craft will continue. In the mean time, I’ll defer to Tolstoy.

Thomas Kaericher says:

I don’t think that the evolution of technology has necessarily broadened the definition of what art is or can be. Technology’s main function has always been to make a human being’s life easier, so it’s only logical that we’re reaching a point in society where we have all these hyper-accessible bits of electronic wizardry that allow for an almost infinite amount of creation at the push of a button. Now, I’m a part of the school of thought in which creation, in any capacity, is art, so for me nothing can ever change what art means.

So does it bother me that for all my hard work, learning and honing my craft and skills for creation, that someone with no experience can just download an app and create something similar? Yeah, a little bit. But I’ve realized that no matter where technology takes us, there is absolutely nothing better than the satisfaction that comes from doing things the “old-fashioned” way, and it’s really up to the user of the technology to decide if that’s something they want to miss out on.

Click here to read Part 2 with Christian Rivera of Rival My Design and Erin Murphy, a music therapy student and UPenn employee.