Hertzian Tales Response

After reading the Hertzian Tales I can conclude that in the world of electronics that aesthetics has become a topic of discussion for some artists. When I think of technology, I first think about the purpose of the device, or program, what does it do? How does it do it? Aesthetics is the last thing I think about, at first. When I am buying a product, usefulness is my priority. If I happen across multiple products with the same capabilities, then aesthetics comes into play. However, aesthetics also plays on the user’s personality. Whatever the user likes, or dislikes, will determine how the he or she interacts with the said product. Some people purely use technology for whatever task they have to complete while others take the device or program and use them for their own personal use. Like those who have taken apart radios and made them into art, everyone has their own view and use of a particular device. Digital art today is what the name implies, the use of technology in a way that it was not originally intended for. Aesthetics, in turn, is of more importance than the actual use the device was intended to perform. Though it can be argued that in today’s market the appearance of a said device has become more important along with the device’s intended purpose. And that appearance has an effect on the user. There is a correlation between the device’s exterior appearance and its user. In stores today you can see a digital camera, whose purpose is to capture images and video, in several color palettes. What also come into play are the associated advertisements of these devices. The color palettes and dialogue affect the viewers into seeing the benefits of said device and therefore encourage them into buying the product. Humans rely on these devices for own expression and/or completion or assistance in a task. What the technology offers them is not in question anymore; now it is how the device appears and what it can do outside its original purpose that can be expanded on. Everything around us can be used for other purposes. Most people do it unknowingly. It is the curious side of us that is beginning to show itself and ask these questions. Curiosity is what has been the inspiration and backbone of many of these forms of art, and it will continue to bring up new questions surrounding these ever so prevalent objects around us. And it is curiosity that is behind the works of many of the artists discussed in the chapters. What is being shown is that the beauty of the electronic device does not rest on the outside, but the inside. And this is the guiding concept behind these works. The reality is that there is a massive sacrifice for simplicity of technology and the beauty of how it all works, and the beauty is being sacrificed. People's desire for simplicity, for ease of use...the beauty of technology is being lost...a sad part of everyday life.