New Media in Art

New Media in Art examines the intersection of technology and artistic expression from the early 20th century through the digital age. The book traces how artists have incorporated photography, video, digital tools, and interactive elements into their creative practice. Rush chronicles key movements and pioneering artists who pushed the boundaries of traditional media, documenting their experiments with emerging technologies. The text covers significant developments like the rise of video art, computer-generated imagery, virtual reality, and internet-based works. Historical context and technical explanations are balanced with analysis of specific artworks and artist profiles. The book includes 239 illustrations that demonstrate the evolution of new media art forms. This survey illuminates how technological innovation has transformed artistic possibilities and raised questions about authenticity, reproduction, and the role of the viewer in contemporary art. The relationship between human creativity and mechanical/digital tools emerges as a central theme.

Readers describe this book as a solid introductory text that covers new media art's evolution from early photography through digital art and installations. Multiple readers note it works better as a reference guide than a cover-to-cover read. Likes: - Clear explanations of technical concepts - Strong selection of images and examples - Comprehensive timeline of media art development - Useful as a teaching resource Dislikes: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Some sections feel rushed or superficial - Limited coverage of post-2000 developments - Lacks depth on individual artists/works Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (87 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) "Perfect primer for understanding the technological progression of new media art" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much breadth, not enough depth" - Amazon reviewer "The historical context is helpful but the analysis feels shallow" - LibraryThing review

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🎨 Michael Rush served as the founding director of Michigan State University's Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. 📽️ New Media in Art was one of the first comprehensive surveys to examine how artists used emerging technologies like video, digital art, and virtual reality in their creative process. 🎥 Before becoming an art historian and curator, Rush worked as a Jesuit priest and experimental theater director, bringing a unique perspective to his analysis of performance and media art. 🖼️ The book traces new media art's lineage from early photography and film experiments through to internet-based works, showing how each technological advancement influenced artistic expression. 💻 Rush's work helped establish new media art as a legitimate field of study in many university art programs, moving digital and video works from the fringe to mainstream acceptance in the art world.