Mark Napier’s ‘Shredder’

This work is typical of much digital art because it is an artwork that places importance on the following aspects :

1) Formal instructions

Instructions are provided in Shredder. "Type a URL into the textbox above and hit enter, or choose from one of these favorites." Users are asked to follow the instructions so that they can use Shredder correctly.

2) The concept rather than the art object

The Shredder 1.0 deconstruct the website literally by splitting the texts and images, and therefore the website becomes abstract. Actually, what construct the website are numerous html codes. Mark Napier aims at revealing the jumble of the text, images of the websites.  He also wants to present the web in a totally different way. 

3) the event and audience participation

The Shredder 1.0 requires the users to select or enter a website to shred. The users will therefore become a collaborator of the art work.

4) an interest in random events and/or chance

Although users are allowed to select a website to shred, the result of shred is random. Users are not able to control the result. The order of the text, url will be displayed randomly.

5) borrowing or appropriation

The Shredder requires the users to enter a website. Therefore it is obvious that the text, images in Shredder  are borrowed from other websites.