An intriguing concept which failed in the execution.The notion of digital artworks, the inventive and creative application of functional computer programming, is explored through three key themes: Code, Network and Interactivity. But this exhibition is small and overcrowded with a very narrow two-way corridor displaying small-screen exhibits on both sides leading into one large chamber housing the interactive installations. This made the Code section which held the most interesting works almost impossible to see let alone enjoy and appreciate. These small and understated creations were fascinating and even unexpectedly beautiful showing that abstract art doesn’t need to be static or non-referential; Stockspace (Marius Watz) uses statistical data to create graphic visual patterns which change and adapt in response to fluctuations in the stock market as they happen. The collaborative works in Network, such as the Exquisite Clock (Fabrica), went someway to redeem technology from the charge that it is isolating and robotic by showing that technology allows artistic relationships and connections on a global scale.
The Interactivity theme is the one that seems to be drawing in the crowds; visiting on a Sunday, the whole day’s ticket allocation was sold-out by 3.00pm. Unfortunately the computerised blinking eye, which has been the image adorning all promotional material, is now defunct and has been removed from the exhibition. Children and adults alike were marvelling at the rather basic and unoriginal concept of a video camera recording their image and then projecting it on a screen along with other videos captured throughout the day. The only theme of Interactivity seemed to be the mirroring of the onlooker, the reflection of the physical world through the digital eye. A giant mirror, which only slowly reveals the reflected image of the figure that stands patiently in front of it, superimposing the image on the one captured previously, Venetian Mirror (Fabrica) is the least subtle exploration of this theme but at least it is honest in its purpose. As appealing as this may be to our innate vanity, I hope this endless and boring reflection of the viewing-subject isn’t the future for art, digital or otherwise.
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