Computers and Art

The use of computers in art is not new: examples are given of past and present applications. Three categories are mentioned: computer as tool, as origin of concepts and metaphors, and as controller. The use of the computer in art gives rise to the idea of computing as representation- rather than just information-processing. Thus the computer can be said to 'belong' to artists and designers, and can be seen as a qualitative device. It is argued that computing is 'really' an art or design activity, and that this has implications for art, design and computing.