The roots of Technology
Tekhnētos = Artificial
From
Tekhnāsthai = To make by art
From
Tekhnē = Art, craft, skill
Plus
Logos = word, account, reason
Looking back etymologically at the roots and origins of the word technology we can see that the concept refers to more than just electronic and computational devices. With this project I would like you to reflect on its broader definition and create a work that expands and explores this reflection.
The point here is to think about the relationship between art, craft, and language, as seen through the ancient Greek etymologies of the word technology and its variants.
Some possible questions to explore:
- Why has the modern conception of technology become limited to what is electronic?
- Why is technology so often considered in opposition to traditional crafts and art practices when in fact it stems from them?
- What is the notion of contemporary craft?
- Why do we assume craft is a non-mediated hand made work when in fact craft stems from technology and almost always uses tools?
- Why is craft so romanticized to outdates tools?
- How do we approach language in relation to contemporary technology?
Guidelines
Develop the work through a research practice and be prepared to elaborate on the research component during the critique, with sketches, articles or other sources.
For this project I expect to se an idea developed that is not directly illustrative of a particular technology, but is exploring what technology is in either a personal, critical or abstract way. I am looking for multilayered explorations that ask questions rather than make judgments on particular technologies.
In terms of media, I would like either on medium or large scale print or a series of smaller prints.
Grade breakdown
Proposal: 10%
Final work: 70%
Critique presentation: 20%
