Serial Number:  http://www.riss.kr/link?id=A106288966

Title:  The Logic and Limitations of ‘Program Art’ : Calculated Creativity

Author: Park, Pyoung-jong

Journal: The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art

Vol: 57

Pages: 331-360

Published by: The Korean Society of Aesthetics and Science of Art

Date: 2019.

Register Information: KCI

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<Abstract>

The purpose of this study is to examine the meaning of experimental art using computer programs and algorithms and to examine the possibilities and limitations of artistic practice. I would like to call the program-based art, which is defined as the core of the device, arbitrarily called ‘Program Art’. 'Program Art' means literally produced art based on the program. The program is designed to produce results in accordance with predefined rules, and its principles are deterministic and predictable. Therefore, the art that relies on the program conflicts with the main principle of art creation. It seems to harm ‘creativity’, the most universal virtue required for works of art.
However, the works of William Latham and Karl Sims, which use evolutionary algorithms, are further reinforced with ‘indeterminism’ and ‘unpredictability’. Objects produced through artificial evolution show new forms that did not exist in the past. Here, the program chooses the most improvable form. At this time, the artist can not predict what form the program will have. The creative possibilities of program art relies on these ‘indeterminacy’ and ‘unpredictability’.
If creativity is the ability to produce new, valuable ideas that have not existed in the past, the work the program produces can be creative. However, novelty must be perceived as valuable to humans in order to have creativity. This requires a comprehensive judgment of human beings, including philosophy, aesthetics, psychology, and history. In this respect, ‘program art’ does not intensify human exclusion but rather promotes active participation of human beings. Under this condition, program art can open up new areas that artistic practices of the past could not reach.