If Leonardo Da Vinci, Picasso, or Van Gogh lived in our times, they would have entertained the idea of ditching paint, brushes and canvas in favour of a computer. This is the spirit of digital arts, where technology meets creativity, and which will be showcased on a large scale for the first time in Malta in a few weeks time.
"Digital arts can reach the value of traditional arts," claims Ivan Saliba, a motion graphic designer who has recently exhibited his digital art works.
"The only difference I see are the tools. One can execute his/her ideas, imagination and visual concepts on canvas using paint, sculpture and all other ways including software and hardware. Digital art can eventually be displayed on print and screens depending on the kind of viewers. The value of artworks and art pieces has to be justified on the artistic level of the actual artwork, the idea/concept of the artist and the way it is presented." The different aspects of digital arts, especially the creative, the media and the business aspects, will be displayed and discussed at the Malta International Digital Arts Expo 2008 between July 3 and 6 at the Hilton conference centre, St Julians.
The organisers, ICA Ltd, hopes that the expo will provide Maltese IT professionals, media and creative industries an event where they can understand how digital technologies can contribute more effectively to their operations, and to attend demonstrations without having to leave the island.
"A lot of work is going into its organisation," explained Jon Mallia, managing director for audiovisual at ICA. "It's a huge task, keeping in mind that the market in Malta is limited and few people know about digital arts. But we want to show the creativity and the technology behind it."
The expo has been four years in the making but it's finally coming true.
This event includes exhibitions, seminars, workshops, galleries and awards with the industries' latest products, tools and services from both Malta and around the world.
Allied Newspapers Limited is one of the sponsors of the event and will provide speakers who will address different aspects of creativity in publishing and the media.
The so-called business room will provide presentations on such topics as seamless communication and collaboration for media companies, brand power, EU media funding, IT licensing, and customer focus selling.
The creativity room will discuss, among other presentations, the approach towards the redesign of The Times and The Sunday Times, the digital artist's studio, visualisations and animations, and a guide to buying a digital camera.
Presentations in the technology room will focus on the latest software and hardware solutions, especially in graphics design, new media, printing, lighting, and audio. Specific software and hardware solutions will be explained.
Although most of the presentations and demos will be delivered by Maltese companies, foreign organisations have expressed interest to participate. Tools Group UK will be hosting a business seminar explaining how to deliver exceptional customer service in a global supply chain. SugarCRM is the world's leading provider of commercial open source customer relationship management (CRM) software for companies of all sizes.
Over 3,000 visitors have already registered their interest and around 200 have registered to attend specific seminars.
So, what does it take to be a digital artist, apart from having the right equipment? How much work is actually done by the "machine"?
"Well it really all depends on the artist's creativity," said Mr Saliba. "The computer is just a tool and no computer on earth can come out with ideas and produce them on its own. At least my computer doesn't do that."
He explained that digital artist have to be active in two areas: The creative part and the technical part. The creative part is the common element between all artists digital and traditional, while the technical part is knowledge of software and all other related tools.
"Well obviously a digital artist can't produce his work without a computer just like a painter cannot produce a painting without paint. So the equipment is fundamental. The level of creativity in a digital artwork depends on the artist, keeping in mind that everyone can buy and install software but not every artwork has the same value."
A computer can be programmed to do some drawings all by itself, but an artist like Mr Saliba is against recognising such work as a product of creativity.
"I never met a computer that can create! I think creating is living, experiencing, dreaming and many other things. The first thing to create is to be alive. A computer is a creation of mankind but it cannot create on its own, at least so far."
The first Malta International Digital Arts Expo comes at a time when the Maltese market for such creativity seems to expanding. Lately we had specialised degrees in creative digital arts offered by St Martin's Institute of Hamrun.
Being employed full-time as a motion graphics designer, Mr Saliba works long hours and the number of clients seems to be increasing as the Maltese community appreciates more digital creativity.
There's money to make out of it, for the asking price for a 1.5m x 0.75m print could run into several hundred euro.
Entrance to the expo is free of charge but visitors need to register beforehand on the website www.digitalartsexpo.com .
"Digital arts can reach the value of traditional arts," claims Ivan Saliba, a motion graphic designer who has recently exhibited his digital art works.
"The only difference I see are the tools. One can execute his/her ideas, imagination and visual concepts on canvas using paint, sculpture and all other ways including software and hardware. Digital art can eventually be displayed on print and screens depending on the kind of viewers. The value of artworks and art pieces has to be justified on the artistic level of the actual artwork, the idea/concept of the artist and the way it is presented." The different aspects of digital arts, especially the creative, the media and the business aspects, will be displayed and discussed at the Malta International Digital Arts Expo 2008 between July 3 and 6 at the Hilton conference centre, St Julians.
The organisers, ICA Ltd, hopes that the expo will provide Maltese IT professionals, media and creative industries an event where they can understand how digital technologies can contribute more effectively to their operations, and to attend demonstrations without having to leave the island.
"A lot of work is going into its organisation," explained Jon Mallia, managing director for audiovisual at ICA. "It's a huge task, keeping in mind that the market in Malta is limited and few people know about digital arts. But we want to show the creativity and the technology behind it."
The expo has been four years in the making but it's finally coming true.
This event includes exhibitions, seminars, workshops, galleries and awards with the industries' latest products, tools and services from both Malta and around the world.
Allied Newspapers Limited is one of the sponsors of the event and will provide speakers who will address different aspects of creativity in publishing and the media.
The so-called business room will provide presentations on such topics as seamless communication and collaboration for media companies, brand power, EU media funding, IT licensing, and customer focus selling.
The creativity room will discuss, among other presentations, the approach towards the redesign of The Times and The Sunday Times, the digital artist's studio, visualisations and animations, and a guide to buying a digital camera.
Presentations in the technology room will focus on the latest software and hardware solutions, especially in graphics design, new media, printing, lighting, and audio. Specific software and hardware solutions will be explained.
Although most of the presentations and demos will be delivered by Maltese companies, foreign organisations have expressed interest to participate. Tools Group UK will be hosting a business seminar explaining how to deliver exceptional customer service in a global supply chain. SugarCRM is the world's leading provider of commercial open source customer relationship management (CRM) software for companies of all sizes.
Over 3,000 visitors have already registered their interest and around 200 have registered to attend specific seminars.
So, what does it take to be a digital artist, apart from having the right equipment? How much work is actually done by the "machine"?
"Well it really all depends on the artist's creativity," said Mr Saliba. "The computer is just a tool and no computer on earth can come out with ideas and produce them on its own. At least my computer doesn't do that."
He explained that digital artist have to be active in two areas: The creative part and the technical part. The creative part is the common element between all artists digital and traditional, while the technical part is knowledge of software and all other related tools.
"Well obviously a digital artist can't produce his work without a computer just like a painter cannot produce a painting without paint. So the equipment is fundamental. The level of creativity in a digital artwork depends on the artist, keeping in mind that everyone can buy and install software but not every artwork has the same value."
A computer can be programmed to do some drawings all by itself, but an artist like Mr Saliba is against recognising such work as a product of creativity.
"I never met a computer that can create! I think creating is living, experiencing, dreaming and many other things. The first thing to create is to be alive. A computer is a creation of mankind but it cannot create on its own, at least so far."
The first Malta International Digital Arts Expo comes at a time when the Maltese market for such creativity seems to expanding. Lately we had specialised degrees in creative digital arts offered by St Martin's Institute of Hamrun.
Being employed full-time as a motion graphics designer, Mr Saliba works long hours and the number of clients seems to be increasing as the Maltese community appreciates more digital creativity.
There's money to make out of it, for the asking price for a 1.5m x 0.75m print could run into several hundred euro.
Entrance to the expo is free of charge but visitors need to register beforehand on the website www.digitalartsexpo.com .