Negotiating ‘digital noise’ as a means of embodied contemplation for both artist and viewer

In communication theory, noise is traditionally seen as a irritant, something that gets in the way of the clarity of the message. This paper will consider the early noise reduction work of Claude Shannon, which formed the foundation on which the current digital revolution is built. However, it will suggest that ‘digital noise’ and in particular its evidence within contemporary art production cannot be avoided and that it might actually be a useful means of exploring spiritual ideas. The digital environment is very noisy and this is both a strength and a weakness, this paper will suggest that negotiating the noise evidenced in contemporary art, is in itself an embodied contemplative act and gives useful tools for exploring Biblical and wider spiritual themes