Abstract

The UNESCO World Heritage List stipulates that "Artistic authenticity can be expressed through the form and design; the materials and substance; the use and function; the traditions and techniques; the location and the setting; and the spirit and the feeling of the given work of art.”  As I began learning web development at ITP, my past visual arts training urged me to consider the medium before me: the browser. The digital canvas, pixel-by-pixel manipulation and user-interactive animation allowed my imagination to run wild. Computational capability is ever-expanding, so I chose to return back in time to the 90's early web visual style. Through an initial interest in the Vaporwave aesthetic (bright, saturated colors, 90's anime references and videogame-esque music), I discovered the definitions for Lo-fi and DIY culture. Often used interchangeably with DIY, "Lo-fi" is defined as "unpolished, amateurish, or technologically unsophisticated, especially as a deliberate aesthetic choice." Lo-fi art encapsulates a dedication to artistic authenticity and individual identity enhancement. By developing My PixelLand, I explored and delighted in the possibilities of the browser as an art medium, as well as an avenue for personal expression.

Research

Visual Studio Code (HTML, CSS + Javascript), p5, Ableton + MIDI Keyboard

Technical Details