Aram Bartholl and Post Internet Art - presentation and reflection

“post art” internet

o   Post-Internet does not imply a time “after” the Internet but rather a time “about” the Internet.

o   Post-Internet Art is the successor to Internet Art, such as Dada, Fluxus and Conceptual Art.

o   Post-Internet Artists have moved beyond the novelty of the web and they use its tools to tackle other subjects.

o   The Post-Internet generation use digital strategies to create objects and installations that exist in the real world.

o   They have a fascination with the blurring boundaries between what is ‘cyber’ and what is ‘real’.

o   It does not only use Internet as an art, but it comments on the Internet’s influence in society.

Aram Bartholl is renowned for his innovative art. This focuses mainly on:

Analogue/Digital Boundaries, Digital (sub)cultures, Internet Privacy, Digital Technologies & their daily use, Cyber and ‘Real’ worlds

“The digital revolution happened some years ago, but the impact is now.” ~ Aram Bartholl, 2013

Bartholl’s Famous Map Art Installation, mocking Google Maps’ imposing ubiquity. (2006 – 2013)

o   The perception of the city is increasingly influenced by geolocation services.

o   intended to highlight the blurring of boundaries between the digital and physical world.

o   He wishes to draw people's attention towards the dominance of digital powers in our everyday lives.

o   Bartholl argues that, “Transferred to physical space the map marker questions the relation of the digital information space to everyday life public city space.”

Drop dead project

o   In an attempt to make it “an adventure to go back outside” (Bartholl, 2012), Bartholl set up an offline peer-to-peer file sharing network in 5 various locations in New York.

o   Bartholl installed USB memory sticks around the city, fixed into holes inside brick walls using cement.

o   The USB stick required you to physically attach your laptop into the wall to download or share content.

o   Bartholl explores the concept of the digital world infiltrating our physical world in eye-catching and interactive demonstrations.

o   Bartholl emphasises the excitement of the unknown, as people would be downloading information from the USB sticks, which might have a virus on them.

I really liked the idea of post internet art. I think there is an underlying humour to it and playing on what we understand of the internet and the computer generation. I particularly like the map instillation project. What’s good is that it uses something so recognisable to the public and in that way the audience can relate to that more. I think it’s also weird how almost true this layout is. It kind of makes you take a step back and think woah.