Tom Shaff is an artist who explores the world using a computer to create art. Beginning with Shaff’s earliest explorations--when as a left-handed person he had to learn to use his major tool, the mouse, right-handed--Hays briefly describes the evolution of his work and philosophy. As the paper notes, “this artist does not want to duplicate traditional effects or media on the computer. He prefers to explore the computer as a tool and medium in its own right” (p. 8). He is an artist who believes technology can be “a leveler, where race, gender, and political orientation play a much smaller role than they do in the current process of awarding grants” (p. 9).

Images from several series of the artist’s works are included with some discussion of the philosophy and techniques embodied in them. “He created The Alphabet images [another series] to demonstrate the capabilities unique to the computer and thus distinguish it from traditional intaglio and from photography” (p. 10). A recent work, “Conversation” (1994), which emphasizes his use of algorithmically altered lines as opposed to fills, is shown.

As is the case with many artists not working in the mainstream, Shaff bemoans the lack of opportunity to show his work. Again, reality meets politics and economics. He finds that much current art lacks “depth,” which he feels is the result of art schools awarding MFAs to graduate students with insufficient experience. His own philosophy is that “artists need to find aesthetic statements worth making” (p.11).

The paper is brief and the discussion far from in-depth. The images are illuminating with respect to how far (and how quickly) computer art has evolved, however. I hope further papers will explore how other artists are using computer technology to express their creativity, and what we might expect in the future.