Once upon a pre-computer time, mixed media referred to wirj made with combinations of media such as watercolor, gouache, acrylic, pencil, charcoal and so on. Using Convergent to describe new computer mixes, the category Mixed Media retains its original meaning, as do the related descriptives Assemblage, for work that moves into 3-D, and Collage, that indicates 2-D papers and materials.
Thanks for the descriptive Convergent go to Barney Davey an art marketing expert with lots of experience in print publishing. I heard Mr. Davey discussing the state of the art market on a podcast (Jan. 31) with Jason Horeis (Xanadu Gallery, Scottsdale) and was so struck by the clarity of the term I asked him to describe it in an email to be sure I understood what he has in mind.
He wrote back, " The definition is not precise. In general, it takes into account that digital art, digital painting, photography and scans of original art, etc., often are put through multiple processes to get a finished piece art. Most often the final digital files are output through a digital ink-jet printer, and then sometimes further embellished. I think such a complicated process needs a more accurate descriptive like convergent media, as opposed to digital art.
If you find this a useful term, feel free to Converge. -Claudia Vess
link to the podcast: http://www.xanadugallery.com/wordpress/index.php/podcast-recording-available-lets-talk-art-marketing-and-art-business/
Barney Davey blogs at (www.ArtPrintIssues.com). His is the of How to Profit from the Art Print Market.