Evan Roth

Evan Roth is an artist and graffiti aficionado born in the US in 1978. Roth received an MFA at Parsons School for Design where he now teaches controversial courses on viral media. He has studied the metrics and patterns in graffiti around the world and his art makes connections between the uses of technology, popular culture and the urban environment. His project 9 to 5 Paintings utilizes a "double mouse" which he created. It is one mouse connected by two separate cables to two separate computers. This allows the user to conduct routine computer activity (checking e-mails, browsing the internet, etc) on one computer while tracking mouse movement and clicks on another. What results is an interesting map of mouse activity which serve as "visual representations of your daily computing routines." The idea is that you get to create art while you work, hence the name 9 to 5 Paintings.

The idea of making art out of daily, routine activity is very interesting. Roth seems to be suggesting that digital activity and the patterns we make in our activity can express something all by themselves. The patterns created by making mouse clicks and drags create the shapes and lines of the art. Normal computer activity like answering emails, browsing the internet, playing a game or making a PowerPoint presentation become the essence of the art piece. By re-envisioning normal computer tasks in a visually artistic way, a person can think about how they use the mouse and interact with the computer and digital data. The use of two screens while making the piece allows the artist some control over the piece if they want it but it takes away from the organic authenticity of the product.

The one thing I think these pieces are missing is incorporation of typing in some way. The program, at the moment, only tracks mouse movement (clicks, drags, etc) but I think keyboard activity would add a compelling second data source that could add a new element to the pieces. Perhaps the mouse and keyboard activity could be shown in different colors. I think adding keyboard activity would help create a more complete picture of a person's computer activity since writing is a very important part of computer usage and is not captured in these pieces as they are now. Aside from this, though, I think the simplicity of the pieces is beautiful and accessible and really interesting--no need for a social agenda, simple self-analysis is all that's really needed to make a compelling art piece!