2015 Reports

The Magic of Computer Art: A Biographical Account of Bruce Wands

Scherling, Laura S.

What does it mean to be part of a pioneering group or a group of early adopters? This article examines this question by considering the case of digital art. Through in-depth interviews, I explore Bruce Wands’ role as an early adopter of computer art and I document his extensive role in creating and developing computer art education since the early 1980s, a time when computer art was seen simply as a passing trend. In those early days, computer artists were either artists interested in new technology or computer scientists interested in art. By retelling Wands’ story we can better understand the complex relationships between technologies and cultural values in art education. These interviews provide insight into Wands as an artist, his early life, inspirations, publications, his identity as a musician, and pioneering contributions to digital art. It also importantly explores his role as an educator and examines how art education might adapt to new technologies.