“Is it art?” A question I’m often asked about digital prints which is impossible to answer until the print is seen. A more accurate question would be; “Is it archival?” or “How good is the production quality?”

The digital medium is at it’s infancy and Benham has seen it grow dramatically since we began exhibiting Nash Edition prints in the 1990’s. Due to the multi-uses of ink jet printing, the words and meanings we use to describe this medium for fine art prints are often confusing.

At present most of our conversation around digital art has been about the process and product not really about the art it represents. Common questions generally refer to what kind of resolution, inks, paper, capture, scans, programs, etc.  are used and have little to do with the artistic intent of the piece.

I believe when we standardize and establish a common “digital” language within the fine arts community our ability to communicate about it will become much clearer and our conversations will instead focus on the content not the production.

On Jan. 30th from 6-8pm join us for a conversation with our current exhibition’s artists Mac Holbert, Dano Steinhardt and Robert Wade. Mac and Dano, who are experts in the digital field, will be joined by some of their colleagues from the Epson Academy. During the walk through the audience will be encouraged to ask questions about the art works. They will see directly how this new medium’s terms are being applied and gain a working understanding of the digital language being used in the arts.

(Rumor has it we will see Epson Academy Instructors; Jack Reznicki, Jeff Schewe, John Paul Caponigro, Andrew Rodney, Greg Gorman and I believe special guest Henry  Wilhelmn at this event but don’t tell anyone!)

Next posting: In an attempt to unscramble the parts of the “digital” medium I will try                               to explain my response to this burning question…

Question: “Is that a digital print?”

Response: “Which part?”