Craft and Technology

This presentation seeks to contextualise current work by makers using new technologies by discussing ways in which technology can be defined and the theoretical frameworks within which these definitions sit. It will briefly highlight some of the common ways in which we discuss technology and technological mediation, and relate these beliefs to particular characterisations of technology. This will include a 'conservative' characterisation which is often championed by computer scientists and technologists and based on rigidly quantifiable aspects of technology and its use. A 'critical' characterisation will also be briefly discussed, based on the work of Martin Heidegger and Tony Fry this characterisation seeks to question how the use of technologies mediate our experience of 'being'. A pragmatic characterisation of technology will be proposed (based to some degree on John Dewey's work) which considers technologies as 'extensions of man' (sic). The implications of this characterisation will be discussed and related to notions of contemporary craft practice and creativity. The conclusion will discuss the implications of taking a pragmatic position when considering the use of new technologies by makers and cite examples where relevant.