Austin Museum of Digital Art facts for kids
| Established | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Location | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Type | Digital Art Museum |
The Austin Museum of Digital Art (AMODA) is a special museum in Austin, Texas. It was the first museum ever created just to show digital art. AMODA started in 1997 thanks to Harold Chaput, Samantha Krukowski, and Chris Rankin. The museum gets help and money from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Austin.
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What is AMODA's Story?
The Austin Museum of Digital Art was created by Harold Chaput and Christopher Rankin. Harold was studying Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin. Christopher had studied art history and worked in museums.
Christopher felt that the contemporary art scene in Austin wasn't very exciting. Harold knew many artists and musicians who worked with technology. These artists were looking for ways to be creative. Harold and Christopher wanted to create a place that would support new art using technology. They also wanted people to talk about how technology fits into modern art. They hoped this would help artists, musicians, and tech experts create amazing digital art.
They teamed up with Samantha Krukowski, who worked at the University of Texas. The three decided to focus on art that uses computers. They called this "Digital Art." They also agreed that their new group should be a museum. This meant they would focus on the beauty and skill of the art, not just what was popular. So, the Austin Museum of Digital Art officially began in November 1997.
Soon after, Christopher Rankin left AMODA because of his new job. Samantha Krukowski also left to become a professor. New people joined the board, including Kyle Anderson, Jennifer Potter, Joel Stearns, Robert Turknett, and Samuel Trim. With Harold Chaput, this new team helped AMODA become a real art institution. They started programs like an educational program (2000), the Digital Showcase (2001), art exhibitions (2002), and performance shows (2003).
What is Digital Art?
AMODA says that Digital Art is art that uses digital technology in one of three main ways:
- As the final product
- As part of the process of making it
- As the subject or topic of the art
Digital Art as a Product
When digital technology is the final product, it's digital art. Think of "web art" or "demo art." This is often what people imagine when they hear "digital art."
Digital Art as a Process
Art that uses digital technology while it's being made is also digital art. For example, Harold Cohen's drawings called AARON are digital art. This is because a computer program helped create them. Even though the final drawing is ink on paper, it couldn't exist without the computer. Computer graphics in movies, digital music, and Cyberopera are other examples.
Digital Art as a Subject
Finally, art that is about digital technology can be digital art. Imagine a series of oil paintings showing someone in an online chat room. Even if no digital tools were used to paint it, the art is still about digital life.
The main idea for all three types is this: the art could not have been made without digital technology. These different ways of looking at digital art help us understand its presentation, how it's made, and its place in society. All these ideas are important to the history of art.
AMODA's Programs
AMODA's programs were made to be easy for everyone to enjoy. They were special because they attracted a younger audience than other museums. AMODA's events connected with the community. They brought in new art lovers by showing digital art in new and exciting ways.
AMODA's most popular programs were its Exhibition Series and the Digital Showcase.
The Digital Showcase Event
The AMODA Digital Showcase is a monthly evening event featuring digital art and music. Todd Simmons carefully plans these events. A space is filled with digital art installations. Throughout the evening, four to six digital music performances are also shown.
The goal of the Digital Showcase is to show digital art in its natural setting. An exhibition usually takes art out of its environment to be looked at alone. But the Digital Showcase lets the art installations and music performances blend together. This creates an immersive art experience. It means you feel like you are completely surrounded by the art. The whole experience becomes bigger and better than just its individual parts. This event is very popular. Hundreds of people attend regularly, and the performances have even been written about around the world.
