Week 2: Zapata

 Question: Is the newfound embrace of digital art taking away from old school/traditional practices?

   
Claudia E Zapata's article, The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now, shows how technological advances in art can be embraced rather than dreaded. Being able to shift with the advances as the masses do can even increase audience turnout for their art as well. With how fast technology is advancing on a day to day and even hourly basis, it is nearly impossible to escape. Whether it's in art, media, phones, or apps, updates are constantly happening. While Zapata was able to show the positive side of these factors, I found myself being concerned about the more traditional art practices, such as museums. Art is so much more accessible in our current times, with anyone being able to look up a specific art piece in the span of seconds on google. Has in person art-viewing lost it's purpose?

            While new generations perhaps may be less likely to attend museums and art exhibits, I think Zapata makes a great point in the embracement of these advances. Especially in the uncertainty of the future of in person exhibits (due to Covid-19), using digital art to an artists advantage is a very important step. It is very easy to dismiss change and try to revert to old ways of thinking/doing, but in the process of that we are completely alienating an entire possible audience. Digital media inspiring Chicanx artists to try new ways of engagement and creativity is extremely inspiring. They are able to experiment with new forms of creating art, as well as able to engage with a much larger audience since the viewing isn’t confined to just in person viewing. Overall I think it is easy to criticize digital artforms and how they can change the history of traditional forms of art, but instead we should be listening to Claudia E. Zapata and finding all the ways it can help elevate these artists for the better.