Going Digital

Marylyn Antoinette

Antoinette's Sisters digital collage sheet.


As a technologically impaired lay individual, Web 2.0 technologies contain cryptic jargon, in my view, in relation to the software mechanisms utilised by these programmes. However viewed simply, this technology facilitates novel, expedient and a broader form of communication and interaction on the World Wide Web, as compared to traditional forms of information exchange previously held on this platform. Social networking, sharing of video clips, still images, opinions, facts e.t.c, have developed through Web 2.0 applications to the extent that we are now in the midst information driven virtual cultural revolution. For those who understand the lingo heres a link with the history of Web 2.0.

Using the general theme of Digital Art, this essay seeks to compare and contrast the divergent manner blog sights disseminate information, paying particular attention to content, style, tone, format and ease of interaction with the general public. Blogs from Kenya, United States of America and South Africa respectively will serve as examples in this regard.

African Digital Art was created and developed by Jepchumba, a Kenyan digital artist based in Chicago, with the goal of creating a site for artists (particularly Africans) involved in the various digital mediums, to enable interaction and a platform to show case their creations across the web. The importance of this blog cannot be overemphasised as digital art within Africa is still a burgeoning form of expression as compared to the more traditional forms of painting and sculpture.

As a budding DA student, I found the content of this blog all encompassing with featured artists, projects, interviews, resources (including tutorials), news, jobs and even freebies! The layout is clean and extremely user friendly with exceptionally clear images and videos while the text is unpretentious yet succinct in terms of highlighting and canvassing relevant issues pertaining to African digital art. I also found that an adequate balance was met between text and images in this site and an interesting use of motion graphics which gives the sight a dynamic quality.

Through the use of interviews and images, expo’s on digital artist helming from Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, South Africa and the like introduce up and coming artists who would ordinarily not feature in main stream discourse. The interviews also enable the artists to discuss their works in their own words therefore allowing the wider audience to garner the intentions and goals they have for their craft first hand.

The current topic on the blog for discussion revolves around what it means to be a Digital African, how this technology has influenced artists in creating works of art. As an African digital artist, the opportunities are limitless, my platform and audience has expanded from a little ‘dorpy’ town in South Africa to that of the globe largely due to advances in Web technology. Having said this however the practical challenges in terms of obtaining adequate programmes has been an issue, which our department at Rhodes has fortunately addressed thanks to sheer determination from our DA lecturer Rat Western. As for my art work, watch this space coming soon…

Taking into consideration all of the above one is more inclined to accept the veracity of the information posted on the site as the host herself is intricately involved as a qualified artist in the digital media field.

Itkupilli a Finish artist based in los Angeles profile reads “A Finnish designer and wannabe artist living in LA as a house wife.” This digital art blog was created as a business orientated sight which offers digital design kits and collages to the general public for sale as well as offering tutorials on digital manipulation. In essence this sight aids novices’ to create digitally manipulated images using templates assembled by the artist. The overall theme of this blog from the design to the images and text are imbued with a quirky arts and craft feel and her blogs are written in an informal journal tone. The image posted above illustrates the sense of whimsy the host explores in her creations. Follow the link below for further Marie Antoinette renditions.

Comparatively this sight, as opposed to the first explored, is non education and information based within the digital art rubric but rather hobby driven. The significants of this form of blog lies in drawing individuals who are interested in digital manipulation as a form of leisurely activity. I found the sight refreshing both in format and design, as the hosts light hearted humour and eccentric approach to graphics led to further exploration and interaction in the site.

Art south Africa originally a magazine which expanded into a web application primarily reports on the art scene within South Africa. Maintaining its paperback format, the web version rehashes some of the articles, features and images printed in the magazine which is published quarterly. The target market as stated by the editor Sean O’Toole, “are cross-cultural and academically informed, with genuine interest in the aesthetics especially that of contemporary visual art. The reader is of no defined race, age or gender.”

Although not dealing with digital art specifically the importance of this site lies in its pluralistic coverage of the arts in general within South Africa, including music, theatre, design, fashion and architecture. The key advantage of this site, especially to students, are the reviews often written by curators, critics, art historians and artists. Affording peer reviewed authoritative insights into the pulse of the South African art industry. Having said this however, the tone of some of the articles, at times, is dense and convoluted and the gist of the writer gets lost in translation. From my perspective I also found that the contributors to this site seem to be part of the same academia crowd, not giving enough room for novel interpretations.

The design and format of this site is disappointing as compared to the previous two discussed above. The only intriguing element is the RSS feed of art news headlines. The layout is bland and parochial as compared to the magazine. In fairness, it would seem that this site is primarily used as a small portal into to the magazine rather than as an extension.

An examination of these sites illustrates the divergent manner blogs can be utilised as a medium for exposure, business, leisure and academic purposes. The sheer amount of information is unfathomable, and different styles and content employed by these spaces reflect the divergent hosts and guests that partake in blogging activities. Word of caution though one should always be vigilant in assessing the source and purpose of these sites before subsuming information therein. Conversely we all have a responsibility to respect others opinions and to avoid intentiona misrepresentation at all costs. After all the anonymity that comes with blogging can lead to mischief…