Khanolaynen, D. P. Interactivity and Computer Technologies in Art

Abstract: The focus of the present research is on the definition of interactivity. The problem is that interactivity does not have a clear definition and it is understood differently depending on the context. Today many artworks are described as interactive. When analyzing these artworks, it becomes obvious that even within the framework of one sphere interactivity has many faces. The author of the present article analyzes different artwork created by using computer technologies and tries to understand what makes this artwork ‘interactive’. The author uses different research methods in the article. First of all, the author uses the historical method that allows to track back the development of the term ‘interactivity’ throughout the XIXth and XXth centuries. The author also analyzes and compares both Russian and foreign researches devoted to the phenomenon of interactivity. At the same time, the author also conducts a comparative analysis of different creative programs. The author compares the traditional definition of co-creation with the innovative definition of interactivity. The author defines the two types of creative programs, closed programs and open programs, in order to understand in what cases the interaction between a user and a program is actually creative. Thus, the author substantiates the position that some computer programs can actually provide the user with a platform for being truly creative.

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