arthow

Arthow is a term used in contemporary art and digital culture to describe a practice that foregrounds technique and process in the creation of artworks. The word is a portmanteau of "art" and "how," signaling an emphasis on methods, materials, and step-by-step approaches rather than solely on the finished object.

Origins and usage: The concept emerged in online maker communities and art education circles in the 2010s, where artists shared detailed workflows, source code, and fabrication instructions to demystify art-making. It has since spread to fields such as generative art, interactive installations, and open-source hardware projects.

Practices: Arthow encompasses a range of activities, including explicit documentation of process, iterative prototyping, and the use of open frameworks and tools. Works are often accompanied by tutorials, diagrams, and demonstrations of making, enabling audiences to reproduce or modify the work.

Reception: Proponents argue that arthow promotes transparency, collaboration, and skill development, while critics caution that an overemphasis on technique can overshadow concept or expression.

See also: process art, procedural art, maker culture, open-source art.