Pioneering the Digital Art Frontier: A 20-Year Journey
Early Encounters with Technology and Creative Beginnings
Paul Slocum's introduction to computers started at a young age, influenced by his father's work at Texas Instruments in Dallas. He immersed himself in programming on devices like the TI-99, Atari 2600, and Commodore 64, creating generative music, graphics, and games. His artistic inspiration came not from traditional museums, but from television programs like PBS's '3-2-1 Contact' and 'Alive from Off Center', which featured video art. These early experiences shaped his perspective, leading him to submit generative art to magazines and record video art on VHS, demonstrating a nascent passion that would later define his career.
From Artist to Curator: Establishing a Unique Gallery Space
Slocum's personal artistic endeavors eventually led to public recognition, with opportunities for shows and an art residency. Collaborating with Lauren Gray, he began performing audiovisual pieces that combined programmed music and visuals, earning invitations to perform in Europe. During his time abroad in the early 2000s, Slocum observed professionally run, yet DIY, digital art spaces, inspiring him to create a similar environment. This vision materialized into And/Or Gallery, initially a performance art series, which quickly evolved into a dedicated gallery space in Dallas, becoming Slocum's personal venture.
The Evolution of Digital Art and the Internet's Influence
And/Or Gallery's inaugural exhibition showcased Tom Moody's blog posts as art, marking a significant moment in the understanding of digital art. Slocum witnessed the transformation of digital art as it began to reference and appropriate internet features, giving rise to phenomena like 'Nasty Nets' and early post-internet art. He observed the shift from Web 1.0, characterized by personal webpages and individual control, to Web 2.0, where corporate platforms began to dominate. This transition influenced how artists created and presented their work, moving from self-controlled websites to mainstream platforms like Instagram, altering the aesthetic and communal 'vibe' of digital expression.
Navigating the Financial Landscape of Digital Art and the NFT Phenomenon
Despite critical acclaim, digital art has consistently faced challenges in market valuation. Slocum shared that he has always found collectors, but the market has not grown as he once anticipated. He critically views the NFT boom as a speculative bubble, where financial success often prioritized "safe" and "easy" art over truly innovative works, rather than universally elevating digital art. Slocum's approach to sustainability involves meticulous archiving, detailed documentation, and simplifying complex technologies for collectors, akin to selling limited editions of photographs. He continues to run the gallery on a minimal budget, supported by his primary career as a software developer, driven by the belief that his work of documenting and archiving is crucial for the future of digital art.
Future Inspirations and Enduring Motivations
Slocum remains motivated by the opportunity to support artists and make a tangible impact through his work, such as providing significant financial support to creators. He is particularly inspired by new generations of digital artists, citing a logo-editing community of young individuals who reimagine classic video intros with modern effects. Slocum emphasizes the importance of keeping operational costs low and maintaining flexibility, recounting his challenges in New York before successfully re-establishing the gallery in Pasadena. He firmly believes in the value and importance of what he broadly terms "outsider art," asserting that creating authentic work will ultimately find its place and resonate with audiences.