When art and technology reinvented the world before the Internet
The exhibition "Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet" immerses viewers in a captivating journey through the early intersections of art and technology. From the late 1950s to the advent of the internet in the 1990s, this period saw artists explore scientific concepts and emerging technologies to expand creative horizons. Transdisciplinary collaborations and innovative experimentation characterized this era, in which art was no longer merely a form of expression, but a means of engaging with the public and redefining society.
Great figures like Atsuko Tanaka and her legendary Electric Dress demonstrated how art could combine with technology in a sensory exploration. Inspired by the illuminated cityscapes of postwar Japan, this work merged sculpture, painting, and performance to reflect the impact of electricity on modern life. These artists often viewed technology as a collective tool, moving away from the military or corporate interests that dominated its initial development.
Liliane Lijn, The Bride, 1998. © Liliane Lijn
Cybernetics, the science of systems and their interactions, profoundly influenced art in the 1960s. By focusing on principles such as self-regulation and communication, this discipline provided artists with a theoretical basis for creating interactive works. Groups like the Groupe de Recherche d'Art Visuel (GRAV) sought to actively engage the public by transforming the artistic experience into a dynamic dialogue.
The development of new technologies, such as integrated circuits and computers, has enabled radical approaches. Collectives like Signals in London or the Zero movement in Germany have explored the properties of movement, light, and algorithms to create immersive installations. Their works were not simply meant to be contemplated: they required the participation of the viewer, blurring the line between artist and audience.
With the rise of personal computers in the 1980s, artists began to appropriate these tools, paving the way for works like those of Nam June Paik and Tatsuo Miyajima. The "Do It Yourself" paradigm also emerged, encouraging creators to experiment with consumer technology. This movement fostered the development of collaborative spaces, such as video art labs and interactive technology exhibitions.
The exhibition ends on a futuristic note, with works like Liquid Views Fleischmann and Strauss's work explores narcissism through an interactive digital mirror. By revisiting ancient myths through the lens of modern technology, these artists question our relationship to identity and virtuality. Presenting immersive installations and original experiments, "Electric Dreams" demonstrates how art has anticipated and influenced the way technology shapes our perception of the world.
“ELECTRIC DREAMS: ART AND TECHNOLOGY BEFORE THE INTERNET”
TATE MODERN
BANKSIDE, LONDON SE1 9TG (ENGLAND)
UP TO THE 1er JUNE 2025
