Spectacle vs Substance in the Digital Age (Video Essay)

Video Essay of Olivia Sonne and Iris Zhang.

Overview

What are we talking about when we talk about digital art? Observing various perspectives on digital art prompts this intriguing question. The diversity of ideas surrounding this relatively young medium offers a valuable discussion point, especially as people bring their unique experiences and interpretations of digital art’s meaning and impact. Our video essay contrasts two forms of digital art experiences. The Van Gogh Immersive Experience emphasizes visual spectacle through digital reproductions of Van Gogh’s art, primarily catering to Instagrammable moments rather than deep engagement. In contrast, the Nxt Museum in Amsterdam showcases original, tech-driven works like Living Room by Random International, where art responds to viewers’ interactions, fostering a thoughtful, personal connection. This immersive approach transforms the visitor from a passive observer to an active participant, urging digital art to inspire reflection and connection rather than mere consumption. By analyzing the differences between these two approaches to digital art, we hope to answer the above question, or at least present a new lens through which to consider the nature of digital art experiences.

---

Video Essay

https://youtu.be/3vwFwtGAvyk?si=lGCI6G1UdU3zPEeF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vwFwtGAvyk

(Technical issue with embedding)

---

Bibliography 

“Boundary Functions (1998) — Scott Snibbe – Interactive Art.” n.d. Scott Snibbe. https://www.snibbe.com/art/boundaryfunctions.

Broey Deschanel. 2023. “Immersive Van Gogh: Why Art Is in Crisis.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOFBAJStuk8.

“Immersive Van Gogh Experiences Bloom Like Sunflowers.” 2021. The New York Times. September 21, 2021.

“Life in a Different Resolution – Nxt Museum.” n.d. Nxt Museum. https://nxtmuseum.com/exhibition/life-in-a-different-resolution.

Mondloch, Kate. 2022. “The Influencers: Van Gogh Immersive Experiences and the Attention-Experience Economy.” Arts 11 (5): 90. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts11050090.

“RANDOM INTERNATIONAL.” n.d. RANDOM INTERNATIONAL. https://www.random-international.com/living-room-variation-1-2022.

“Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience,” n.d. https://vangoghexpo.com/.Bibliography