John Cage - Computers and Art

In his essay, John Cage states that “we need a computer that isn’t labor-saving but which increases the work for us to do.” Does creating art on and with computers require less talent and effort than the creation of art with traditional mediums? Is it worth less?

I’d have to say no, and not only because I use computers to create art. While it’s true that certain things are easier to do on computers than “in real life,” (for example, when coloring a drawing, I can use the paintbucket tool to fill a shape, as opposed to using a brush and ink, which takes longer), I do not believe that it requires less talent and effort.

Advancements have been made in different artistic mediums over and over throughout the years. When people started using oil based paints as opposed to egg based paints (oil allowing for the use of transparent layers for better control over colors and more realistic effects), there wasn’t a massive backlash against the new medium (to the best of my knowledge). Computers are, of course, somewhat different. Someone who lacks the physical skills required to paint a perfect circle can make one on a computer in a matter of seconds.

However, the fact remains that computers cannot make art on their own. There’s no sort of magic button on a computer labeled, “MAKE ME SOME ARTS.” The computer is still a tool, and as long as “art” is based on an artists intention, the medium and tools used matter very little.