Robert Henke starts his lecture off with the title ‘Doing Something That Seems Utterly Useless, but Insisting in its Significance’. Claiming that this is the core of artistic expression.

Henke explains experimenting and making mistakes is one of the most important parts of the artistic process. Showing us his works with Commodore CBM 8032s the computer he learnt how to code with many moons ago when he was at university. He was impressed with the old green graphics of the computer which inspired him to start experimenting with more obsolete commodores to create moving graphics. Henke describes using computers in this way at the time of their inception as useless and a waste of time. With hindsight and interpreting obsolete technology with a current mindset he explains we can look at an aesthetic or piece of technology just as we look at an instrument and come up with a different use for it. Simply because of a change in mindset.

Applying this way of thinking into my own work is important for self growth. Many times I often feel what I might be making or experimenting with is pointless or, if not happy with the first or second attempts and nothing of note appears, give up. This is something I’m attempting to change. I’ve been working more and more with hardware recently, something I have a limited amount of because of monetary reasons. For instance I use a ‘Moog DFAM’, a semi modular percussion synthesiser, The DFAM only has an 8 step sequencer. I’ve found being limited in what I can do has led to a deeper understanding of the equipment I’m using. Also producing sounds that are more cerebral in production. As is the nature of modular synth patches aren’t able to be saved as a preset.

I think these limitations Henke faced in producing his visuals with obsolete technology should resonate with other artists producing with equipment restraints.