Kasey Prisco
Reading Blog #3
“Web Work: A History of Internet Art”
Rachel Greene's "Web Work: A History of Internet Art" traces the evolution of Net.art from its accidental inception in 1995, examining its socio-political context and its subsequent development. The term "net.art" emerged unexpectedly from a software glitch experienced by Slovenian artist Vuk Cosic. Greene delves into the collective ambitions of net.artists in the mid to late '90s, emphasizing the movement's commitment to creating an equitable online community, free from bureaucratic constraints.
The article highlights the significant role of Eastern Europe and Russia in the early years of the internet as an artistic medium, attributing the region's open media landscape and cultural reforms to various organizations. During this period, net.artists thrived in the liveliness of the online atmosphere, completely separate from traditional art-world institutions. Prior to reading this article, I had very little knowledge pertaining to Net.art, so this was all super interesting to learn about.
Personally, I found the information regarding the rise of female net.artists to be the most intriguing part of the article. I particularly enjoyed the references to the “Cyberfeminst Manifesto”, written by a group of Australian women in 1991. I was shocked to see such bold, courageous, empowering, public female statements, dating back more than 3 decades ago. These women wrote things like “we are the modern cunt,”, “We see art with our cunt we make art with our cunt,” and “the clitoris is a direct line to the matrix VNS MATRIX,”. As a female artist, I was extremely inspired by even just a few lines of the works of these women. Today, in 2023, it is still incredibly difficult to publicly express feminine vulnerability via our art work, just as it is difficult to make a statement about female empowerment. We have taken so many steps forward in the feminist movement since 1991, yet, we as female artists are still subject to major backlash. That being said, the fact that these women used their voices to make such a strong statement even 3 decades ago when stakes were even higher really inspired me. My most recent art piece was the most vulnerable I have ever been in my work, and it was certainly the most scared I have ever been to share my work with others, but stories like this are what motivate me to continue taking risks and to do the things that scare me. It is the ones who take the risks, conquer their fears, say what everyone is too afraid to, and refuse to conform to societal norms whose art leaves an imprint on our lives.
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