Computational Art Ecologies

Abstract

We argue for a broader approach to understanding computational thinking that decentralizes CT from the definitions in CS and STEM and works toward authentic definitions in other fields. We contribute to this scholarship by exploring the intersection of computational thinking and art. While there have been myriad successes in creative computing initiatives within education, there has been little research to characterize the authentic computational practices within art fields. We propose a new theoretical frame, computational art ecologies–based on Dewey’s theory of art as experience– which can be used to capture and visualize an artist’s relationship to computation and art. We introduce two cases of computational artists within this theoretical frame and highlight the differences in their relationships to these fields of practice.