Is computer programming an art? 4

[Andrzejek]

I was looking for the definition of the word ‘art’ and found it here and point #7 here states:

7. the principles or methods governing any craft or branch of learning: the art of baking; the art of selling.

Is there the art of computer programming?

Wickedly parodied on The Red Green Show, when Red offers some simple criteria for viewers to tell if something they see is art or not: “If I can do it, it's not art”. I am pretty sure Red can not write any computer program. So, is it an art?

Am I Information Technology Specialist (fancy word for computer programmer)? Or am I Information Technology Artist?

What are your thoughts on the subject?


Have fun.

---- Andy

 

[fumei]

Speaking as both an artist:

painter
stone carver
wood carver
musician

and having sold works in all of the above;

and as a somewhat programmer:

C+
VB
VBA
Fortran
Cobol

while making a living in the IT world;

this question will NEVER be answered.

McLuhan got it half right.

The art market is what you can get away with.

Art is both "whatever you like" (read Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintainence for a deeper discussion), and whatever is apotheosized by the academic/art business world.

It is, IMO, the ability to synthesize both skill and the influence of emotional reaction in the viewer/experiencer.

It is very possible (and fairly common) for someone to have great technical skill. This does not, at least not automatically, confer artistry.

I have created more than 500 sculptures. Probably not more than 10 are worthy (IMO) of being called art.

I have painted 2000+ paintings. I doubt more than 100 are art.

I have written and recorded 300+ somgs wioth maybe a dozen that I would call real art.

Creative? This is another thing entirely. ALL of them are creative to some degree.

Creativity, like skill, in itself, does not confer artistry.

For my own reasons (best not get me going) I consider music to have its own channel, so to speak, in the brain. I believe it to be unique of the "arts".

So that leaves everything else. Can computer programming be included there?

Would I consider computer programming to BE an art? No.

Can the use of it create art? Yes.

Can the use of it create art? This is harder to say.

I can personally attest that I have experienced exactly the same "artistic thrill" when programming as I have when sculpting, or painting.

Gerry

Och ammmmm, I think I need a shave.
- hirsute Scot, trying to decide