MAT200A 03W		Barb Noren Computer driven Performance
Bauhaus Moholy-Nagy    Historical Theater (past)    Theater form today (present)    Theater of Totality (future) Licklider    Man-Computer Symbiosis Synthesis/Realization		The question arises of how to incorporate all of these ideas. Moholy-Nagy makes a point that even with these new ideas, there is still a tendency toward reproducing an old form. He suggests repetition by many "actors," the use of technology to project images and sounds of actors, and the "simultaneous, synoptical, and synacoustical reproduction of thought." There is some disparity between the two articles, as Licklider would have machines subservient in decision-making processes, while it could be argued that Moholy-Nagy sees machines and humans acting on some level of equality. The incorporation of both of these methods of thinking questions whether machines should be equal only in performance. This equality may also bring the computer into a place where it can take on any or all of the roles of actor, director, composer, and producer. In addition to this, let me extend my earlier question: how can we incorporate all of these ideas in a way that will have cultural significance? This seems to be a valid question, being that art is created to have some influence on humans. Moholy-Nagy points out that effect on humans largely rests on "potentialities of his own organism as demonstrated by others." 'This means, among other things, that the phonomena of the subconscious and dreams of fantasy and reality, which up to now were central to the so called "INTIMATE ART THEATER" ("KAMMERSPIELE"), may no longer be predominant. And even if the conflicts arising from today's complicated social patterns, from the world-wide organization of technology, from pacifist-utopian and other kinds of revolutionary movements, can have a place in the art of the stage, they will be significant only in a transitional period, since their treatment belongs properly to the realms of literature, politics, and philosophy. ...It is high time to state once and for all that the much disdained masses, despite their "academic backwardness," often exhibit the soundest instincts and preferences. Our task will always remain the creative understanding of the true, and not the imagined, needs.'