Transformation - J Space

The Transformation exhibition is all to do with the subject of transformation. The fellow students work made up of sculpture/prints/and digital work. The use of all mediums helps to make the space come alive with the interesting pieces.

“The transformation” can be seen though the digital mediums more (personally),. The through the use of digital mediums the artists are able to put them selfs in to “transformation” situations with the help of green screens and the editing software. From the transforation angle the exhibition has much merit, However to your average passer by some of the work I found, I failed to understand and appreciate.

The statement was made at this exhibition that “digital art is not art” to which the speaker gave her rebuttal. With the overtone being that digital art is a new window to express passion for the arts. While I agree with this I also have my reservations.

Digital art is more then just whacking some images off the net and using as many of the different Photoshop filters as you can to create an “artwork” - this in itself has already been done, and done and done. “Real” digital requires as much in not more effort then that of traditional artwork, :ie if you are to do a collage or build an artwork around (in layers) a central image it MUST be the right dpi and quality, or at least used in a way that masked its lack thereof. Photoshop or image manipulation filters must be used with a purpose or to create a certain atmosphere. With out going into detail digital artwork is very much acceptable ONLY when it is done properly!

If this is not the case the work can be cheapened or look uneducated in its execution. Fortunately this will on be apparent those who are involved in the digital arts industry or who appreciate image clarity. You can have the best conceptual idea however if it isn’t properly executed it can look cheap. Unfortunately that the impression I got when viewing some of the work at the transformation exhibition.

Not all the work I view had this effect, there where some well developed digital art there of a very high standard with no pixelaisation or negative distortion. The sculptor was very interesting also. All in all I enjoyed the exhibition, it was an opportunity to see the depth, understanding and the thought process of my fellow students, which is always a good experience. Below are some example of very well executed digital art work:


Mireille Beaufremez - cubist face

Annie Watkins - Blue Night

Yvone Picot - Foxes in the Chook House