Laurence Gartel is a Digital Media Artist from New York. Photography © Sunman 2019
1.In your opinion, what is the role of a museum?
We are living in an ever changing world. As the “Father of Digital Art” for over 45-years, we have made rapid advancements in technology that has altered the cultural landscape. Technology has added a more in depth understanding to the presentation of information. People can learn more about what they are looking at. No longer are museums limited by wall space.
Monitors and interactive kiosks can help provide a richer learning experience. Naturally with the internet (which wasn’t accessible 50 years ago) a person can now visit any museum they wish virtually. For instance if a person could go online and rotate an ancient sarcophagus, pyramid, or jewelry they could potentially have a greater understanding of a past civilization. So the role of the museum is to present the best of their collection.
2.What are your favorite museums in the world? Why?
Of course I am bias because I have enjoyed museums that take risks and showcase forward thinking innovation. They are not afraid to project the future as well as present the past. My innovative Digital Art has been shown at the Museum of Modern Art, Princeton Art Museum, Long Beach Museum of Art, Norton Museum of Art, as well as the collections Victoria and Albert (V&A) London, Smithsonian Institute Museum of American History and Lucca Museum, Italy just to name a few.
