˅
˅
˅

MEANING

Glitch art is the practice of using digital or analog errors for aesthetic purposes by either corrupting digital data or physically manipulating electronic devices.

Glitches appear in visual art such as the film A Colour Box (1935) by Len Lye, the video sculpture TV Magnet (1965) by Nam June Paik and more comtemporary work such as Panasonic TH-42PWD8UK Plasma Screen Burn (2007) by Cory Arcangel.

Data manipulation

Data manipulation (aka databending) changes the information inside the digital file to create glitches. Related processes such as datamoshing changes the data in a video or picture file.

Hardware failure

Hardware failure happens by altering the physical wiring or other internal connections of the machine itself, such as a short-circuit, in a process called "circuit bending" causes the machine to create glitches that produce new sounds and visuals.

Distortion

Distortion was one of the earliest types of glitch art to be produced, such as in the work of video artist Nam June Paik, who created video distortions by placing powerful magnets in close proximity to the television screen, resulting in the appearance of abstract patterns.