COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY - A TOOL IN THE HAND OF THE ARTIST?

Experimenting around with new media is essential for artistic work and the creation of new art forms. Looking at the Computer Demoscene, a European subculture, gives an insight into a generation of ambitious hobbyists who took up the heritage of the American hacker culture. Artists express themselves by experimenting with computer technology. With their practices of real-time-generated images and sound this youth culture scene extends the boundaries of technology. In the following, the scene will be analyzed to outline characteristics and criteria for ensuring a preservation of the artifacts of this sub-cultural art form.