One of the best examples that art (and the graphic media in general) stopped being static a long time ago (hence our flashing background for this review, to more or less illustrate this idea) is New York-based artist Tina LaPorta. Her work is currently on exhibit in the exhibition, "Telematic Connections: The Virtual Embrace," at the San Francisco Art Institute. Among other highlights of her career, her most recent work has been created specifically for the Internet, she was recently a recipient of The Alternative Museum's 2000 Web Residency Commission where she completed her World Wide Web mix Remote_corp@REALities, and she has been invited to participate in several on-line symposia and projects including: "The Warhol Hijack," at weliveinpublic.com, "Shock of the View," sponsored by the Walker Art Center, "POV Salon," sponsored by PBS Television Network, and the Gender in New Media Online Panel at "INVENÇAO: Thinking The Next Millennium," conference (Sao Paulo, Brazil.). 
We got in touch with Ms. Laporta because of two of her specific works: "Future Body" (from 1999) and "Distance", though she has other works such as :::net.works + avatars:::. The first one is an interactive tridimensional-looking creation where the viewer can zoom into parts of the basic/overall image by clicking on hyperlink points "invisibly" indicated by the hand icon that appears when you place the computer mouse arrow icon over them. The second one is a rather philosophical exploration of the Internet, virtual communication and the future. These works inspired us to make an online, "virtual" interview of Ms. Laporta, to which she kindly and unselfishly agreed. We were interested in her opinions about certain aspects of these works. This exchange was quite fascinating for us, as never before have artists and the public been able to communicate with each other in such an open way, thanks to the Internet. We are convinced (as subjective as this may sound) that any of the Renaissance artists (especially Leonardo Da Vinci) would have loved the Internet as well. Here is the interview, which we hope you enjoy: 
THERESLES: Given all the technological developments to date (and the potential future ones), especially in the area of computer graphic tools, can you think of a definition of art nowadays? MS. LAPORTA: artistic practice is increasingly becoming a hybrid form-- whether you're mixing mediums, disciplines or theoretical points of view. no longer is a singular way of working applicable for today's artist when a plural form is desired. THERESLES: Based on your previous answer, has the easel then become a relic for artists? MS. LAPORTA: yes the easel belongs in a mausoleum. although many commercial galleries still privilege paintings. why? because they are commodity-objects. for curators, digital media is a stubborn little beast. 
THERESLES: In your series "Future Body", you have designed a 3D (tridimensional) female body that looks like the engineering plan for an android or for one of Ripley Scott's perfect "replicants" in "Blade Runner". Are you suggesting with this series that the creation of "non-human humans" is definitely a possibility in the near future? MS. LAPORTA: perhaps we can look at it from a psychological perspective. what are we becoming? what is the nature of our interactions now that machines (in particular, communication technologies) have been integrated into our lives? are we behaving more or less human? are our interactions filled with depth of meaning and feeling or are we quickly gliding over the surface ready to pick up the next message in our in-box? THERESLES: Based on your previous answer, do you think artists will then be active participants in the design of such "creatures" or will this be solely left to engineers? MS. LAPORTA: unfortunately artists will be excluded. if we look at the US as an example of a society which holds no value whatsoever for the cultural sector. artists are invisible here, we have no voice, we hold no value for a capitalistic society. 
THERESLES: On the other hand, continuing with your series "Future Body", besides the "science-fiction" aspect already mentioned, I think there is a lot of eroticism in the female body you have designed. Was there any erotic intention in this series when you created it? MS. LAPORTA: yes, eroticism is always a theme in my work, sometimes it is a sub-text other times it's more overt. usually i am exploring the struggle toward autonomy. unveiling the ways in which societies and cultures attempt to control women's bodies, sexuality, desires, minds and destiny. 
THERESLES: About your more recent series, "Distance", you have mixed two media: texts with monitor "screencaptured" images of people whose thoughts about their online communication we read. Do you think the Internet promotes communication or, on the contrary, it alienates/isolates more people? MS. LAPORTA: both. when i log onto CU sites, i see people chatting like crazy-- it's great. the other day i was having lunch at a local cafe. there was a couple sitting at the table next to me. his cell phone rings, he's chatting to someone on the other end. she picks up her cell, she starts chatting too. then her frequency starts to drop out so she starts to walk around the restaurant, then she steps outside, returns to her table and i can hear her asking the person on the other end, can you hear me now? is it my phone or yours? meanwhile their meals are ready. they are both eating and talking, not to each other, but to the invisible person on the the other end. i think this tech-induced behavior is quite common... THERESLES: And finally (based on your previous answer), how important do you consider the Internet in terms of making the work of artists known? MS. LAPORTA: i think the internet is critical for artists working today. it opens up the work to a global audience which may be more receptive to the ideas explored than a local audience might be. the internet offers the artist the possibility to control the distribution of her work which is a powerful gesture in itself. 
© 2001 of this art review/interview by TheResLes © of the "Future Body"/"Distance" images by Tina Laporta To visit our other sections, click any of the following links: |
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