Looking to what has gone before can be a great way to inform our choices and decisions as artists.
For pixel based imaging (PBI), we’ll begin by looking at the for runner of computer photographic image manipulation – Photomontage. Dating back to 19th century around WW1, various photographic techniques were used to create fantastical new realities which changed the way we interpret visual information.
An ideal place to learn about the process of photomontage is CutandPaste.info and one of the icons of 20th century photomontage protest art, Peter Kennard (1980s) can be found here. Much of his work explores the tension of the Cold War.
More recently despite the availability of image manipulation software such as Photoshop, artist Sean Hillen still uses a scalpel, using photomontage to explore the social political climate of Northern Ireland, The Troubles, through the work Irelantis.
The context of his work can be read about here.
“...A third influential metaphor presents the photomontage artist as scavenger, rummaging through the ruins of modernity for usable rubbish. “
A useful insight into Sean Hillen’s cut n paste source images and process can be seen on this blog.
caveman
09/11/2009
also look at Hannah Hoch, Gustav Klucis, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, John Heatfield and Peter Kennard.