Reading Blog #2

With the introduction of the internet came a sort of artistic renaissance, born out of the anti-establishment attitude of the era. The birth of a new platform provided even the most controversial artists an outlet for their creativity. This burgeoning net.art movement disrupted the traditional world of art institutions. The internet was a tool to distribute art with immediacy and with less restrictions. The freedom that the platform presents to artists is unique. Individuals and collectives are able to frame/mold the virtual landscape much like any other physical medium. The main difference lies in the scope and influence of net.artworks.

Many artists saw this new technology as an opportunity to explore historically taboo subjects. Online communities were built around movements such as feminism and foreign policy. Yet, at the same time, some groups were formed on the basis of jokes and pranks. In any case, these communities transcended social, political, and geographic divides. The internet became a haven for cultural evolution. However, it was always a concern that corporations and governments would eventually subvert the greatest communication network ever created. These fears were well-founded.

For the most part, the internet is fully commercialized. Freedom of expression is now both measured and supervised. The internet has been transformed into an expansive marketplace and propaganda machine. At this point, inanimate 'bots' force feed the general public advertisements and misinformation. We are so heavily dependent on the internet in our everyday lives that we unconsciously ignore the corruption. Instead, we focus on the brighter aspects of the internet. We all love binging shows on Netflix, bumping our Spotify playlists, and scrolling through r/Chonkers. This temporary gratification distracts us from the unjustice. And so, the internet is just a reflection of reality.

“Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.” - George Orwell, 1984