thoughts on "MacClassics" at Postmasters Gallery

As the debates surrounding technology's role in art have become
increasingly redundant, it was quite refreshing to see an exhibit that
explored this issue effectively. MacClassics, clever in its use of the
determinedly out-dated canvas, is a convincing statement that creative
digital works can exist - moving past the idea that computer art relies
on the gimmick of 'cutting-edge' technology.

Personally, I was drawn to Nam Szeto and Stephan Cannon's 'Mac Doggy
Dog' installation. This computer/pet affixes a contemporary
interpretation to the term 'man's best friend' while examining the
physicality of the computer. Similarly, other artist's played with the
idea of physicality by experimenting with everything from projecting
slides onto the monitor screen, decorating the mouse, to designing a
wearable backpack/computer. This is certainly not to say that the
artists' imagination was limited to the exterior elements of the
machines. On the contrary, their control over the innards of the
antiquated Macs created personal and artistic statements making it hard
for traditional art devotees to deny the substance and effectiveness of
digital media.