Critical Art Ensemble Analysis
The Critical Art Ensemble is simply fascinating to me and I have never really heard much about ‘tactical media’. And for some reason these topics are super exciting to me. I think that because of this class I can really relate to this method of working. I think that we are not really utilizing the technology we have today to its fullest potential. It is like there is this entirely separate and completely unused portion of existing technology that we can use to push boundaries, educate and voice opinions. I feel this is exactly what tactical media is and what the Critical Art Ensemble is doing.
There is an almost seamlessness in the different approaches of the CAE in the exploration of art within critical theory, technology and political activism. Upon reading about the CAE I became really curious about what their work looked like and really included. I visited their website and explored all of the different tactical media on the page. I absolutely love the Useless Technology newspaper insert. I think that this really plays on my thoughts about the use of technology not being fully fulfilled. I think that the idea of technology that has no function but to exist is comical but is also a very true thing. I think that we have created all of these gadgets and technologies just purely to have created them and to have them in our daily lives.
I think that this quote is very interesting: “Tactical media is ephemeral. It leaves few material traces. As the action comes to an end, what is left is primarily living memory.” This makes perfect sense since tactical media utilizes technology like television and radio or even mass media production like newspapers and pamphlets. And even though there is an existence that is in some way traceable it is so minute that it fades away over time. I like to think that tactical media pieces are almost like a ‘hit and run’—it’s quickly there and then it’s quickly gone. It is ‘in the moment’. I think that this quote and idea becomes even more interesting because I can relate it back to the first project of this class—the ephemeral site project inspired by Goldsworthy. It really opens up my eyes to the fact that there is a great multiplicity to this type of working. It can be more of Earth works like Goldsworthy or like the tactical media of the Critical Art Ensemble.
I find it odd however, that the Critical Art Ensemble did not want to be named. I understand that naming something is like branding or creating boundaries but it is also what distinguishes one great work or group from another. I think that it is important that in order to be accredited to such monumental ideas and practices that there be something to link it to. Obviously they did come up with a name, I just find it weird that they didn’t want one to begin with. I also didn’t quite understand the comparison to the Avant Garde movement. The article spoke about how it ended; but doesn’t everything have to come to an end at some point in time? But I don’t really think that it is considered an end but more of a beginning to something else far greater than could be imagined.
