table of contents - home page - text-only home page Art, Technology, and Disability: Interviews with Three Artists Edited by Jane Berliss-Vincent (jane@wid.org) Participants: Ju Gosling, "Webmaster/site slave and Multimedia Storyteller," Great Britain (JG) Phil Chavez, Graphic Artist, USA (PC) Paul Simpson, Musician, Great Britain (PS) Ju: self-portrait in spinal brace What is your definition of "technology"? JG: I think my own definition of technology might go back to the Stone Age, when humans first used tools. But I generally use the socially acceptable one of information technology. PC: My definition of technology would be "utilizing the human potential of problem solving and beauty creation through modern tools." PS: My definition of technology is when any advance offers a new solution, option, and wider understanding, to as many people as possible. What role does technology play in your creation of art? JG: It's a facilitator, and also a platform. Technology allows me to create work virtually when I might not be able to create it physically, and also to present it virtually. PC: Obviously, technology is integral to almost every aspect of my art as I utilize voice recognition program and computer technology. Actually all aspects, right down to making prints involves fairly advanced technology. PS: Due to my limited capacity I am always eager to search and find out what tools are either available or are on the drawing board, that I can use to enable me to be creative. Horizontal Paul in his studio What barriers does technology present to your work? JG: The major barrier is economic. All artists complain about finances, and digital artists probably have the highest expenses of all. However, disabled artists have much higher daily living expenses than non-disabled artists, may have expensive access needs as well, and are much less likely to be able to earn an income from freelance work to supplement their art (90% of disabled people in the UK are unemployed, and 90% of those who get a job lose it again within a year). Environmental and economic barriers also prevent disabled artists from accessing public facilities to the same extent as non-disabled artists. PC: The limitations of the programs I use are sometimes barriers. Printing also is difficult with the basic paint program I use, as the files are small. PS: There are numerous barriers that technology can present in the fact that advances usually incur cost to everyone. There has been a significant change in the way companies now approach a problem. In computers, software was written to work with a computer, now its up to the user to upgrade their computer to use the software. It is expected that everyone has modems, and is connected to the Internet. This can cause a problem when the ability to edit and manipulate a sound recording I have made, is dependent on keeping my knowledge of computers, programming etc up to date. Without this I would be seriously limited as to what I could create. As game play becomes more interactive the makers are requiring the player to have more dexterity, and significantly reducing the chances of the disabled to take part. Ju's back brace showing dolphin and yin-yang symbols If you could create the perfect piece of technology to meet your current or anticipated creative needs, what would it be like? JG: The same technology that I have now, but it would work properly! PC: I can imagine quite extensively! It would probably be something lightweight and self contained that would be worn on your head. Basically a complete computer that would have a small view screen like glasses and all have to do is talk to the computer in commands of your choice to create beautiful art. PS: Neural interfacing that allowed visual representation, and the user to use thought to control equipment. In my opinion, many disabled people are perfectly alert mentally and it's the physical difficulties that are the challenge to be overcome. Stephen Hawkins is a brilliant example of success despite disability. Is there anything else you'd like us to know? JG: I think that technology offers disabled artists a great deal - not simply because equipment can be adapted for almost any impairment, but because work can be created virtually when physical work may no longer be possible - for example, an oil painter might not be able to continue painting after becoming disabled, but using a graphics tablet they could still create visual work on a computer. What disturbs me is the lack of access to technology for disabled people, particularly given the fact that disabled artists still form only a tiny minority of all artists. PC: I am still looking for a programmer to work with to design art specific voice programs. PS: I have been discriminated against when replying to a request for disabled artists to take part in the Calne Access For All "A Celebration of Diversity" exhibition. The fact that I am seeking to fund medical treatment in America to improve my situation disagreed with their support of the "Social Model of Disability", and it was only after extreme pressure was applied, that I was allowed to showcase my work. My music exhibit consisted of a CD player and headphones available for the public to listen [to] music, although they didn't know it was there. I was not allowed to mention my Music Project, sell my CD or display any literature or contact details. In fact it would be debatable that I exhibited at all. Participant Biographies Ju Gosling,ju90@netmatters.co.uk, aka ju90, is a 38-year-old disabled webmaster and multimedia storyteller who works in journalism, fiction, cartoons, photography, video and sound as well as on the Net. Ju's Home Page site, http://users.netmatters.co.uk/ju90/- really a collection of sites - includes My Not-So-Secret Life as a Cyborg, a website exploring the social construction of disability through performance art, illustrated with a number of self-portraits inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo. Ju is currently working on two digital installation projects, funded by London Arts Board and The Arts Council of England. Ju in profile wearing her brace Phil Chavez,JettChair@aol.com, is a 47-year-old self-described "voice painter" from Berkeley, California, USA. He creates paintings using DragonDictate speech input software on a Windows-based computer, sometimes taking up to 50 hours to complete a single picture. Phil is a C4-5 quadriplegic who works for the Berkeley Center for Independent Living. Paul Simpson,paul@horizontal-paul.com: "I am a 47 year old man. I have been married 24 years, with a daughter of 19, and a son of 18. Since becoming bed-bound disabled, I have educated myself in electronics, radio communications, and computers. I had my own business for eight years before a further accident forced retirement. I now actively support the disabled through my Music Project, run 4 websites, and am founder of a new political party (Social Justice Party) in the UK." For more information and music samples, see http://www.horizontal-paul.comand http://www.socialjusticeparty.co.uk Paul with his CD Listen to samples of Paul's music You will need RealPlayer to listen to the samples. If you don't have RealPlayer (or an equivalent audio plug-in), click the button below to go to the free RealPlayer 8 Basic download page. Sample 1:listen to the song "Cruel World"or read the lyrics. Sample 2:listen to the song "Empty School Yard"or read the lyrics. table of contents - home page - text-only home page