SATELLITE ART or SATART- ART OF THE 21ST CENTURY ( paper first submitted 2007)
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With the advent of WorldWind, and the satellites Landsat 7, Aster and Modis, and more recently, Google Earth,a technology which the world has never before experienced, it is not surprising that a new art, capturing the endless possibilities of transforming natures abstract into artistic expression, has followed. Satart embraces cultural diversity, geographic cohesion and a human connectiveness on a scale never before seen in the artworld. In 2007, the LA Times ran a story about the "intrepid armchair earth travellers", as Google Earth technology exploded around the world. The enthusiasm has reached beyond the mere armchair travel capability,and has spawned artistic possibility for thousands, and as such, it's interpretations are vast and varied.The one cohesive element which unites all, is the inspiration gained by viewing the planet from a vantage point, previously only available to a select few. The interpretation of the viewing and selection of image area, the enhancing capability of the artist, and finally the resulting reproduction of the final works, are the defining elements of the Satart artist. Satellite art, or Satart, is related to the concept of a movement dubbed 'conceptual art" which dates back to the 1960's and 70's, and the broader and more recent Aerial landscape art, and land art.Like it's predecessor, Satellite art, or Satart, is usually presented in a printed format, either after craftfull manipulation, high resolution digital enhancement, or alternatively, presented in a painted format, with the final canvas derived from the original satellite image. To ensure that the art form remains of the highest standard, and to make a differential point between what is deemed to be " art" and what is merely an image captured by a Google Earth, or likewise, , Satart artists needed to band together and form a movement. Satellite art or Satart, is an art derived from technology, and thus it is only appropriate that technology is used by the artist to bring forth their final work for viewing. Projects are currently being explored to allow the global artists, who are part of the movement, to band together as a cohesive force, and bridge the obstacle of distance. As Google Earth and other satellite imagery, appeared endless in weblogs and blogs and groups dedicated to share geographical information, it became increasingly important to find the difference.The artists who saw satellite art as a true artform, a means of expression, a method of capturing, replicating and creating from the created,those who had and have a sincere passion for the further possibilities, of this wonderful medium, and those who have the artistic "eye" to do so, and have indicated their interest to be part of the new and exciting movement,are said to be part of the Satart movement. CALLING THE NAME Satart , is short for satellite art, could be an abreviation for space and time art,or subjective art & time. An underlying common theme is that the images captured today may not be here tomorrow. There are many different names used to descibe the art, as, up until now, there has been no cohesive title, to identify it. Earths Graffiti, Google art, Earth art, Earth interpretations, and Satellite art, are the most commonly used names. However, to gain credibility, and a unique status, a new and appropriate " name" for the movement had to be found. Other late 20th and current 21st century art movements, such as "Modernism, Symbolism,Post Impressionism,Relational Art, Omni,Land art, Thinkism or Techno-impressionist art ,are neither suitable or hold no significance to the Satart artists. Discussions have been held, and suggestions such as Creatism, Planetism, Environmentalism,Gaiaism, Googleism have been presented. Research has found no appropriation for such titles. The title of Google Earth Art is also not appropriate, as many Satart artists use different satellite images and are not , and do not want to be, solely affilliated with Google. Satellites gather their date from a position of over 400 miles above our planet.The majority of Satellite information is public domain. The public domain is a range of abstract materials— commonly referred to as intellectual property—which are not owned or controlled by anyone. Google Earth, however, has instilled a copyright on any images used for commercial purposes. The title of Satellite art also holds many obstacles, as the word "satellite "actually means,a "subservient follower or sycophant", or something "subordinate or dependant', which is the perfect desription for the actual machine, but not the artist.The word satellite is also commonly used in the context of being a fledgling, new beginning, or for the purpose of promoting new and experimental ideas- ie in satellite project and satellite art gallery. Satellite art therefore has too broad a span to be the name for a movement which encompasses only the art created by Satart artists. Satellite art , or Satart,can be seen to have many purposes which guide the artists along their journey. -Some may wish to demonstrate the contrast between ancient and electronic forms. -Some may wish to archive images for future genarations -Some may want to engage the viewer in a deeper thought provoking process of linking man to his surroundings. -Some may wish to create idealic landscapes and provoke and stimulate the imagination. -Some may just be facinated by the shapes, textures and forms, and wish to recreate and enhance the image for their own pleasure. SATART AND "ISM" AND OTHER LABELS
Realism Satart is focussed on the presentation of the satellite images in it's clearest, most precise form. The value of these images is dependant on the highest resolution reproduction obtained from the satellite remote sensing capabilities. Satellite images are not produced like the images from a digital camera, as is commonly thought, and therefore a different method to translate these interpretations is needed to accurately transform the images accordingly. Surreal Satart focusses itself on capturing the image and transformimg it into an imaginary impression.The artist uses computer software to capture, enhance, add or detract parts of the image, or the entire image .Many varied techniques may be used. The prints may be printed and hand embelished prior to being rescanned and remanipulated until the artist is satisfied with the creation.The finished works may be transposed to canvas or fine arts papers, and be classed as acrylics on canvas or fine arts prints. Digi Satart is a form of the art which stays focussed on the digital representation of the captured image. The artist may add digital imagery, digitally derived shapes and forms, or may fully distort certain areas, use cut and paste techniques,to create truly individual works.Paper print is the preferred output medium, and very clear and sharp prints are the desired final works. Interpretive Satart fosusses on man made objects and on adding elements of previous art movements transforming city scapes into cubist inspired works, landscapes into pointillist pieces, adding abstraction, and highlighting shape and textures. Many Satart artists experiment with all the forms before finding their true passion. PIONEERS AND DISTINGUISHED SATELLITE ARTISTS
Leading up to the Satart revolution, artists around the globe were producing art using street maps, weathermaps, radar interpretation, and aerial photographic interpretations. In retrospect, there are many that now take a place in time as having been the pioneers.
Therefore the true pioneers and masters of the satellite art era of today, need to be noted as having been contributors to the awareness of the artform, whether they have physically joined the Satart movement, or not.
Current masters , and or explorers, of the art are
Van Sprang nick leahy Evert Schut aquil copier carl holzman jennifer walton lasmeninas aboveinc Tom Davie and Chris Ingham Brooke Peter Sforza Merkador -interested party pallette earth Santiago Espeche
Isabel Kerr Artist and Satart painter, Van Sprang, is one of the driving forces behind the Satart movement, and takes credit for the naming of the group. She states" we need to band together as a cohesive force in the artworld to bring awareness and credibility to the fore, and to be able to dispel any preconceived myths of discredit against the credibility of the art. Credibility with galleries and critics and curators usually arrives decades after the establishment of a cultural movement. Hence art, gains its status and marketable value long after the artist has departed. The successful living artists, need brilliant marketing skills, and business accumen to bring their art to a marketable level. Credibilty and Marketibility comes with reputation and uniqueness. Many artists are deviating into different areas ,as their interests change, or as they are challenged by something new. However, the new may not be sustainable unless their previous reputation is recognised, and the new has the quality and the intrinsic unique factor, which gave them notoriaty in the first place. A new artist may have all the neccessary qualities, but not the pulling power to compete with the substandard competition which is freely available. Being part of a movement or group solidifies this uniqueness. Just as the old masters and schools of previous movements had basic guidelines and principles for their output, so should we, be it in the methods of presentation or publication. A " free for all" methodology takes away the value, to a certain degree, unless you engage in graffitit and call yourself Banksy". "One only needs to ask oneself, - are the millions of Chinese reproductions available, real art, and will they have a place in arthistory in years to come? " "We need to find a way beyond the limited edition prints to make our art unique." That doesnt't neccessarily mean that we cannot sell or supply to our own desire. It means that some of our work is limited, some will only be available to the public at a price, the buyers will be able to verify that they are the registered owners, and therefore some of the work will be collectable, and increase in value. A movement is a handy tool to collaborate and achieve this objective, and others, such as exhibition possibilities etc. This is a truly global art movement and as such we need to rethink methods of exhibiting our works beyond the standard gallery or online presentations. This art is fuelled by technology. Let us use technology to make it truly global."
