After reading both Hooks and Lialina, I really connect with how they explore the relationship between critical thinking and creative practice. For Hooks, it is about radical openness and challenging our own viewpoints. I remember when I was working on a project in my freshman year, I was so attached to my initial idea that I resisted feedback. It wasn’t until I started critically thinking that I was able to create something that went beyond my own expectations. Therefore, Hooks’ idea of critical thinking as a way to engage deeply with ideas resonates with how I approach my own creative projects now.

Lialina, on the other hand, explains how terms like ‘technology’ can cloud our understanding of new media art. This made me think about how often I’ve used this word without really thinking about what it means. For example, when I first started doing digital art, I threw around terms like ‘interactive’ and ‘immersive’ without questioning what they actually conveyed about my work. And Lialina’s perspective really helps me see the significance of critically evaluating these terms better to understand and articulate the essence of new media art.

There is another concept that I want to talk about too. For instance, balancing technological innovation with artistic integrity is something that I’ve personally wrestled with. When new tools and tech come along, they’re exciting and can open up new creative possibilities, however, I found that sometimes, the focus is on using the latest tech instead of focusing on the message of the actual work–essentially overshadowing it. Lialina’s thoughts remind me to stay grounded and ensure that the tech that I use in my artworks genuinely enhances it and isn’t just a flashy addition.