Who Is the Public in New Art Forms with Interactivity? Studying the Definition

The art with interactivity is a form of art that uses mechanical devices or technology, such as computers, sensors, to invite the public “to do something” to make happen the final form of the work. The completion the piece of work is depending on the public’s response. Along with the development in technology, various forms of art are being attempted, such as digital art, media art, Internet art, etc. for which the possibility of participation of the public is put as a main component of the work.
These interactive arts show a different aspect from the usual relationship between the public and art works, thus creating a different perception about that. Previously, public and art works, or the artists who actually create it, were not directly related. Art works existed as finished products having nothing to do with the public. The public could only indirectly communicate with the artist through their own thoughts or through the curator’s explanation of the art work.
But in art works that use interactive elements as an expressive method, it relates the public with art works physically, and only when these two elements are connected the art work is complete. The public who experience these forms of art works can be divided into three types: 1) active participant – getting involved with the interactive art by taking action, 2) passive participant – just watching from the side, 3) no participant – giving no interest to that.
In this paper, I will analyze the three types of public that come in contact with interactive art, and study the relationship between the public and art works, whether the public is just a viewer, or a user, or an essential part to the completion of the art work, as well as the meaning of the art.