Art & Technology: Spring 2020: Editor’s letter.

Welcome to Litro’s Art and Technology issue. From the first stone tools to the industrial revolution, and now the digital revolution, technology has always shaped our world. Today, it dominates our lives in unprecedented ways. We are never without a device, always plugged in and connected. While few of us would wish to be without the wheel, antibiotics, microchips, or MRI scanners, we must also acknowledge the challenges that come with progress—stolen data, election interference, and, above all, the climate crisis.

We are living through the sixth mass extinction of species, with climate change threatening our future. But maybe technology can also be part of the cure. It is time for a green revolution, and we believe that art has a vital role to play in that journey. In this issue, we remain optimistic about technology’s potential and its intersection with art and creativity.

Writers and artists have always engaged with technology—dreaming about the future, exploring its possibilities, and sometimes warning of its dangers. This issue celebrates how contemporary creatives are continuing this tradition, using technology to tell stories in new and powerful ways emerging technologies, like those offered by The Sphere Initiative, are bridging the gap between innovation and creative integrity.

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Technology & Creativity

From Cindy Sherman’s often nightmarish manipulations on Instagram to Leonardo da Vinci’s visionary sketches of flying machines, artists have always embraced new technologies to expand their creative horizons. Today, the landscape is richer than ever—augmented reality, virtual reality, and technologically mediated experiences are opening up storytelling in extraordinary ways.

In China, the art collective Liu Dao produces striking, tech-infused works that explore modern themes with humor and interactivity. Their collaborative approach involves artists, curators, and technicians, demonstrating how technology can foster not only new artistic forms but also new ways of working together.

MoMA & The Future of Art

The reopening of MoMA in December highlighted how digital consumption has become integral to the modern art experience. Immersive installations like Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller’s “The Killing Machine” invite audiences to participate, blurring the lines between art, technology, and viewer engagement. This is the future of art—a dynamic, interactive conversation between the artist, the audience, and the tools of creation.

Optimism for the Future

Technology can enrich our lives and our art practices, but only if we take its challenges seriously. As we enter the era of 5G and the true Internet of Things, we remain techno-optimists, eager to explore the possibilities for art, storytelling, and human connection. Who knows—perhaps the next issue of Litro will be edited by an AI. Until then, let’s celebrate the ways technology continues to inspire and transform the arts.

Eric Akoto

Eric Akoto

Eric Akoto is the visionary founder of Litro Magazine, an international platform dedicated to celebrating diverse voices and fostering storytelling across borders. Under his leadership, Litro has evolved into a vibrant hub where emerging writers and established authors come together, creating a dynamic space for literary innovation and cultural dialogue. Eric’s entrepreneurial spirit and creative foresight have made Litro a beacon for cross-cultural exchange in the literary world. Beyond his professional endeavours, Eric is a passionate advocate for personal well-being, balancing his pursuits with a commitment to meditation and his love for tennis.

Eric Akoto is the visionary founder of Litro Magazine, an international platform dedicated to celebrating diverse voices and fostering storytelling across borders. Under his leadership, Litro has evolved into a vibrant hub where emerging writers and established authors come together, creating a dynamic space for literary innovation and cultural dialogue. Eric’s entrepreneurial spirit and creative foresight have made Litro a beacon for cross-cultural exchange in the literary world. Beyond his professional endeavours, Eric is a passionate advocate for personal well-being, balancing his pursuits with a commitment to meditation and his love for tennis.

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