Internet Art

Internet Art, by Rachel Greene is a work of literature that displays different examples of contemporary art through the minds of different artists. This book includes four chapters that each explore different topics: Early Internet Art, Isolating the Elements, Themes in Internet Art, and Art for Networks. When observing the sub-titles, it becomes more obvious as to what the chapter is about. Databases, Games, Open Works, Infowar and Tactical Media in Practice are all subjects discussed in the chapter called “Themes in Internet Art”. Of these sub chapters, Games seemed to be the most interesting subchapter.
Games attract people visually and they pull people in through interaction. “Game environments in fact crystallize some of internet art’s most distinctive characteristics, chief among them interactivity: a game literally depends on a player (Green 145). Obviously, in order for games to work, individuals are needed to operate them. Rachel Greene also indicates that creativity is key. When playing games of any kind, different strategies must be used in order to succeed in that particular game. If the game has different levels that must be completed for the sake of moving on, players must be unique in thinking. The game is not going to figure the moves out for the player. That’s another example of when creativity must be used. Games also differ from theater and cinema. “In contrast to modern literature, theater, and cinema, which are built around psychological tensions between characters and movement in psychological space, these computer games return us to ancient forms of narrative in which the plot is driven by the spatial movements of the main hero, traveling through distant lands to save the princess, to find the treasure, to defeat the dragon, and so on (Greene 145). In addition, theater and cinema usually don’t consist of the audience using hands on technology to figure out the ending.
The work that I selected to study more closely was “Adam Killer:” by Brody Condon. Condon was born in Mexco in 1974 but is now an educator and artist in Los Angeles. Currently, he still works on commuter games that possibly relate to human life. Rhizome.org states that if life were a game, Condon would probably be its designer. From the google search, it was apparent that “Adam Killer” is a shooting game with a bloody environment. “Adam Killer” is an adjustment of the commercial game “Half Life”. Players shoot at the character “Adam” who appears on the screen numerous times and in numerous locations on this white plane. Codon seems to enjoy thinking outside the box: coming up with different ideas of how to make life into a game. This factor is what probably attracts people to his work. Other google searches exclaim that Condon is a very educated man that has a lot of creativity. In an interview posted on Rhizome.org, the artist says that some hardcore gamers dislike some of his work and even describe it as “gay”. Brody also stated that he has received threats from people and other inappropriate comments. Gamers who are into shooting and games that involve violence and much action probably enjoy works such as “Adam Killer”.
As a person who isn’t into gaming, I found the subchapter on internet games very intriguing. Previously, I had never explored the subject of internet gaming, but now that I have done some research, I may try one out one day. Brody Condon’s art was fascinating. It reminded me of Tomb Raider and other games that you play on gaming systems. “Adam Killer” seems action-packed and full of excitement. I could picture people really becoming hooked to this game and using their imaginations to pretend that the game is a real-life experience. Overall, I would recommend anyone who likes games to try one of Codon’s game or any of the other artists mentioned in Internet Art. For the people who don’t usually enjoy gaming, I still. believe that they might find it interesting. Internet gaming is different from any other games that people play. It has its similarities; Nonetheless, it will give you a slightly different experience.

Technology in Classrooms

Final Project

For my final project, I am considering conducting research on the use of digital technology in education. I figured that this would be an interesting and relevant topic due to the fact that I want to be a teacher. Because many students and teachers do indeed complete their coursework by using digital technology, I believe that I can find a lot information on this topic. If you have any ideas that might help me.....let me know!