14. "Four Selections by Experiments in Art and Technology"

Introduction

• Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) - looks at technologies affects on art since the 1960's
• Brought together artists and engineers (at one point membership of 4000)
• E.A.T. spread their mission through newsletters, exhibits, competitions, discussions
• 1966- Founded by Billy Kluver, Rauschenberg, Whitman, Waldhauer
• 1967 - Announced to the press by a chapter
• 1960- Experiment created by Kluver, engineer, who aided in the creation of a sculpture by Tinguely -- the experiment personified the concept, the core of E.A.T., that the artist and the engineer can be collaborators, not assistants to one another, but equal players in their respective endeavors.

"The Garden Party,"  by Billy Kluver - 1967

• Experimentation in art can never be wrong or right - He was referring to Jean's experimental, self-destructive sculpture 
• "The machine was not a functional object and was never treated like one..."
• "This art then becomes part of our inherited language, and thus has a relation to our world different than the reality of the immediate now..."
• JOHN CAGE:  - piece of music that was not permanent in either "form or detail.."  The only sounds were those that were naturally occurring (nature, telephone lines, etc) during the time of the performance 
• LUCINDA CHILDS:  used different vehicle related devices in different circumstances to look at what they could or not could aid in the completion of anything.  
• YVONNE RANIER:  A dance performance of two "separate but parallel...continuities and two separate (but equal) control systems...(1) Dancer continuity controlled by artist from a system where actions are chosen (2)  Event continuity controlled by "theatre electronic environment modular system" using memory capability
• RAUSCHENBERG:  A tennis game is staged where the rackets are wired to be capable of sound transmission.  The sounds that come from the racket control the lights in the audience area.  The game is over when the area is completely dark (or gives the illusion of darkness)...much like improvisational dance performance 

The Pavilion

• The artists creating "the pavilion" designed it to be an "open-ended" experience.  The viewer was encouraged to explore as an independent, and to "compose his own experience," not that of the artists' wish.
• Goal: to create a highly participatory technologic environment 
• 19th century World exhibitions allowed people to consider the idea of participatory new technologies/machines.
• 20th century new technologies  steered away from concerns about the actual new object or new technology, and more about the way it was being used
• E.A.T.'s goal in The Pavilion:  "to demonstrate physically the variety and multiplicity of experience that the new technology can provide for the individual..."
• The Pavilion responded to weather conditions, sun movement, and physical contact
• Such highly participatory art work raised questions:  artist in relation to industry, legality in art and with the artists