Domenico Quaranta on Art, Technology, and Post-Medium Condition

In an interview with Davide Dal Sasso on Artribune, critic and curator Domenico Quaranta discusses the impact of digital technologies on contemporary art. He traces the evolution from the 1960s, citing Jack Burnham's 1968 Artforum article on 'systemic aesthetics' and the 1970 exhibitions 'Information' at MoMA and 'Software' at the Jewish Museum. Quaranta notes that later theories by Lyotard (Les Immateriaux), Deitch (Post Human), and Bourriaud (relational aesthetics) failed to fully integrate new media. He highlights the 1990s net art movement as a turning point, with artists like Hito Steyerl, Ryan Trecartin, Boris Groys, and Cory Arcangel gaining prominence. Quaranta argues that photography no longer exists as an analog medium, replaced by digital emulation. He advocates for a post-medium condition that merges Rosalind Krauss's concept with the recognition of digital media's transformative role. Quaranta teaches at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara, and has authored books including 'NET ART 1994-1998' and 'Beyond New Media Art'.