Week 3: Robotics + Art

The topic I would like to focus on is industrialization, or more specifically, mass production. With the advances of technology during the Industrial Revolution, more goods could reach a greater amount of people due to things like the assembly line. On the downside, such technology stymied creativity in art. This idea of mass production and how it has influenced art is closely analyzed by Walter Benjamin's essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." However, society reacted favorably to having more goods available and, thus, there was an increase in mass production throughout the market. After this point, people could easily go to stores and buy generic items, like furniture, as a means to express themselves.



Until recently, however, the advances of technology has resulted in the opposite effect. With the inception of customization in the food industry from giants like Chipotle paving the way, there has been a societal demand in changing industrialization as well. Instead of mass production, the market has responded by implementing more customization. Emerging and improved technology has allowed for people to have more control over expressing their creative selves. This can be best depicted by Converse now allowing its customers to customize their shoes. Initially, converse was known for its very distinct, bright colors that were mass produced. The shoes were in high demand and stores would have the shoes available due to the sheer volume they would be produced at. Now, with advances in manufacturing, people can choose their own designs online or even in-store. Hence, art and technology has come almost full-circle in allowing people to express themselves again by choosing what they want to buy.











Sources:

1. Milnes, Hilary, et al. “Behind the Scenes at Converse's in-Store 'Blank Canvas' Customization Shop.” Digiday, 19 Feb. 2016, digiday.com/marketing/behind-scenes-converses-store-blank-canvas-customization-shop/.
2. Davis, Jim. “New Converse Store Lets Shoppers Customize Their Chucks - The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2015, www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/05/13/new-converse-store-lets-shoppers-customize-their-chucks/SZ98RKVFb0hojHc5XclPfL/story.html.
3. “The Art Institute of Chicago.” Industrialization , The Art Institute of Chicago, www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/divineart/industrialization.
4. Servais, Alain. “Art In The Shadow Of Art Market Industrialization.” SFAQ / NYAQ / LXAQ, 10 Nov. 2014, sfaq.us/2014/11/art-in-the-shadow-of-art-market-industrialization-moving-toward-a-sustainable-ecosystem/.
5. Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.
6. Vesna,Victoria. “Lecture Part 2.” Math + Art. 20 April. 2018. Lecture.
7. “CONVERSE OFFICIALLY OPENS WORLD HEADQUARTERS IN BOSTON AND DEBUTS NEW FLAGSHIP STORE.” Nike News, news.nike.com/news/converse-officially-opens-world-headquartesr-in-boston-and-debuts-new-flagship-store.
8. “DOCTOR WHO Hand Painted Shoes, Painted Mens Converse, Doctor Who Converse, Custom Sneakers, Unisex Hightop Sneakers.” Etsy, www.etsy.com/listing/238937657/doctor-who-hand-painted-shoes-painted.
9. Connox, 2005-2018. “Kartell - Generic A Chair.” Generic A Chair by Kartell | Connox, www.connox.com/categories/furniture/chairs/kartell-generic-a-stuhl.html.