Interview Transcript
Question: Are we living in a strange age?
Michael Kupperman: I do think it's strange because the technology keeps improving and yet what can be done with it keeps degrading. For an example, in print, if you look at magazines from the past printing and the production was just immaculate. And magazines today, even the best of them, can't match that. You know, animated cartoons, very similar. I think the production in the 30's and 40's is just incredibly beautiful, and with the exception of Pixar now, I'm not seeing anything that's that powerful.
Question: What can be done to encourage good art?
Michael Kupperman: I think we're in a funny time now, we're in a kind of shift. The new technology has really affected the way people see the world and relate to each other, and so I think we're in transition. I would think that very few people like the way things are now, but maybe I'm just projecting. I think what needs to happen is an examination of why people exist, is it really just to work? You know, is working for someone else your whole life the sum of what there is? I think these are questions people are going to be asking more and more often since no one will be paid that well any more. You know?
Question: Is the creative class in crisis?
Michael Kupperman: I think there is a crises of the creative class. I mean, among people I know in the theater and all kinds of arts, the funding is gone, the money is gone, and the spirit is not so strong, you know? It's very hard for people to keep wanting to produce material when they don't feel like the audience is there or there's any reward at all.
Recorded on December 19, 2009
Technically Worse
Comic Artist
We keep advancing in terms of technology, but much of our modern art doesn’t compare with what creatives produced in days gone by.
January 21, 2010 | In Arts & Culture, Science & Tech
Discuss
tim hall on January 23, 2010, 3:01 PM
Michael Kupperman has touched on many social subjects here.
First high tech. creativity vs. earlier hands on illustration- The “Push Pin Studios”“Life & Post” magazines were nearing the end of hands on illustration and dark-room photography. This post tech. creativity was rightfully at it’s maximum. The new printing presses that run off these high tech. photoshoped images have finally reached there maximum purchase price of five million per unit. However, electronic imaging, plus where and how we view it is still in it’s infancy.
Secondly- Many sociologist today theorize that electronic socializing could be “one step forward, two steps back” They point to Robert Putman’s “Bowling Alone” and other sociologically written theories that our electronic tech. is continuously separating us instead of it’s designed purpose of greater socialization. To be fair, one has to bring in the maybe greater social separator, the car and it’s producing suburbia and escalated feardoms.
Thirdly, What interests me the most is interactivity. In the past, by immigrating to the cities we were forced to confront each others cultures and habits. As still being of the animal kingdom we still process the greater truth in each other physically face to face (front porches, sidewalks, walkable purchasing etc.) Classroom edu. is the keepsake of that social style. It has it’s primary tool of physical trust, in which we are now in the process of Kendeling away. My hope is that we learn to use electronic communication to enhance physical community instead of further alienating it with a somewhat false electronic social community (our beloved Twitter, Facebook, BT and more to come.)
Understand, in my position as a graphic artist, I do not wish to eliminate or retard the electronic imaging and communicating industries. Rather, like Mr. Kupperman, and Mr. Putman, I believe we should make ourselves aware of the social impact of our great technologies. This way we protect ourselves from the pitfalls that the likes of auto/oil technology brought but at the same time relish in there social accomplishments. If we want to, we can use our newest tools for their greatest good, instead of haphazardly allowing me and my colleagues to just take it where it may. Maybe I just read to much?
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