electronicart

Electronic art is a term used to describe art that uses electronic media for creation, processing, or presentation. It encompasses works produced with electronics, computers, video, sound, sensors, and network technologies. The field covers a wide range of practices, from video art and computer-generated imagery to interactive installations and net art.

Although artists experimented with electricity and sound earlier, electronic art as a recognized field emerged in the 1950s and 1960s with pioneers such as Nam June Paik and the work of the Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) collaborations, as well as the rise of video art. Early works relied on broadcast video signals and basic electronic devices, while later pieces incorporated digital equipment and computer systems.

With the 1980s and 1990s, computer graphics, MIDI, and the internet expanded electronic art into digital and networked practices. Generative art and algorithmic artwork use code to produce imagery or sound. Interactive installations employ sensors, computer vision, and microcontrollers to create real-time, responsive environments. The field often blends sculpture, performance, and media formats to engage with viewers in dynamic ways.

Today, electronic art includes immersive installations, video and virtual reality works, AI-assisted pieces, and online or augmented reality projects. The field faces preservation challenges due to software and hardware obsolescence, licensing issues, and the need to document and migrate interactive components for long-term access.

Electronic art raises questions about authorship, spectatorship, and the role of technology in culture, while intersecting with digital art, media art, and design. It remains a dynamic area as new devices and platforms continue to shape creative practice.