Edge of Art: Hacktivist Art:
One thing that I found to be interesting was at the very beginning of the chapter. The author was describing the difference between an ordinary hacker (if there is such a thing) and a ‘hacktivist’. From what I understand, a hacker is one who probes and obtains information over the internet. This is usually done just to see if you can, more sport than anything else…like a puzzle or a hunt. The hacking becomes hacktivism when there is purpose behind the work. Hacktivist are those who want to make change or boost awareness. Although it is not of a digital format, this reminded me of graffiti and one artist in particular. Banksy is one of the world’s most famous graffiti artists. Much of his work is of a political or social theme and almost always a criticism. His art resonates globally because of its subject matter and the messages he is trying to convey. While being popular and controversial, it is always illegal, which I find to be an interesting comparison to the digital medium. I think that this is very similar to what hacktivists are trying to accomplish when they intrude networks or pull stunt of some nature.
Theater of the Oppressed:
I have to be brutally honest on this post. I really did not understand much of what was said in the text. I could not really figure out what the author was trying to explain and how it related to New Media. It was interesting in the beginning when the author spoke about the man who ran for political office as an act of theater, then was elected. I also somewhat understood the different degrees of theater there were. I have never been to a theater where people interact with the actors in what the author calls spectating. Like I said though, I was having a very hard time following its connection to New Media.