Introduction of Digital Art by Christiane Paul

Better late than never.......It is interesting to think that the foundations of digital art were laid nearly sixty years ago. With the creation of the World Wide Web and its subsequent popularity which boomed in the 90's, digital art seems a more recent artistic medium. But, in actuality, as soon as the computer was invented, it was used for creative purposes by engineers and scientists who were also artists or were collaborating with artists. Memorable artists such as Marcel DuChamp contributed to the digital medium with their mechanical works, some of which were interactive.

At this point, the digital medium is so widespread. One could argue that it is by far the most popular artistic medium in existence. Perhaps this is because it can draw on the characteristics of every other artistic medium. You can paint, draw, or photograph anything and pull it up on the computer screen to be altered and enhanced. Because it can encompass all other media while still providing plenty of strictly digital processes as well, this medium will surely continue to grow and be used by more and more artists of all backgrounds.