Hardware
Julianne Rahimi's Art 7D Website
Hardware Reading
The first reading, “Device Art: A New Form of Media Art from a Japanese Perspective” by
Machiko Kusahara, focuses of the differences between Japanese art and Western art. In Japan
there is a larger emphasis on technology as an art form. They believe it should be accepted
and interacted with. Western artists, however, find technology as a negative influence on
their art and create a sense of fear for this technology. Westerners criticize Japanese
art for its opposing views. Kushara also goes into device art. He says device art should
serve a purpose and fulfill a goal.
I found it most interesting to read about the opposing views between Japan and the West
when it comes to art. As a digital artist, I never realized the negative connotations
surrounding art through technology in America. I always found it an accepted medium. However,
upon thinking about this idea, I would have to agree with Kusahara. Japan is such a growing
society that put emphasis on technological growth. Here in the west, a lot of people want to
keep old traditions, which include saving traditional mediums of art. These mediums are still
highly praised, whereas in Japan more advanced digital mediums are praised.
The next reading is Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby’s “Design Noir: The Secret Life of Electronic
Objects”. In this reading, the authors focus on the affects of electronics on society and
consumerism. People use technology in the physical world and have found ways to replace
certain realities with electronics. For example, instead of meeting someone physically
and naturally, you can now find love online through dating services. We rely on technology
and electronics for everyday purposes and use it in every aspect of modern life. With that
being said, Dunne and Raby are focusing on the use of a product as opposed to its design.
I found it interesting for Dunne and Raby to point out societies dependencies on electronics.
If you really think about it, as a society, we use an array of electronics every single day
to perform simple tasks. Instead of talking to a friend face to face, we have to text, IM,
or email them. We, as a society, have made technology and electronics a need in our lives
to survive, as opposed to an option or a luxury. This just shows how evolved our society is
in the technological world and how it continues to evolve.
Hardware Project
iDSLR
The concept of this design is opposite of what is currently being sold. In this design, users
insert their iPhones into a DSLR camera so that they can take high quality images directly on their phone.
In the slot for the iPhone, there is a cable that connects the iPhone to the camera. When an image is
taken it directly transfers to the iPhone, making it accessible in the users photos. From here,
one can use the images taken to Instagram, Facebook, etc. They are at a higher resolution, thus
adding clarity to the everyday iPhone photos. Like typical DSLRs, there is a slot for an SD card so photos can
still be transferred to a laptop and edited appropriately. Also typical to DSLRs, users can change the lens and
flash, while also being able to use all accessories supported by the camera. This takes everyday photography
to a more professional level.