One day as I was watching television about robotic manufacturing, one wonder has come into my mind; what the differences between art and technology are. So far, to me, two differences between technology and art are that technology seems to serve only one purpose and there is no any flexibility, whereas art is designed to serve more purposes and flexibility is contained inside.
Everyday, we see countless technological inventions or betterments; ranking from bicycle to the most advanced space shuttles; however, I see only one purpose behind these miracles: serving the pioneer purpose or purposes.
Let's us see the concrete example! A pioneer of a television may have a vision to see other parts of the world or to see any surrounding at any time he/she wants; this vision provoked him or her to produce what we call television. I think this one example is adequate and make you clear enough for other technological invention or betterment (space exploring device for exploring the space, computer for better storage and faster work, cars for more personal movement ...etc)
On the contrary, art does serve more purpose. For instance, the art of Socrates does serve almost every aspect of human life, ranking from family administration to international relations. The purposes are countless. History does not only serve the purpose of "knowing the past", but it is also seriously read by politics or law students as school curriculum.
The second theme of technology that is different from art is "inflexibility." Technology must be straight; robot must be robot, computer must be computer, glass must be glass, telephone must be telephone, and if changed just any gadget, that technological device cannot be used or be used for any specific purpose at all.
Art, on the other hands, is always flexible, because it allows "interpretation." Interpretation is the clearest flexibility of art. For example, a criminal accused may be acquitted, fully sentenced or lessen the term of sentences, depending on the interpretation of his/her defense lawyer. Above all art is flexible and technology is not at all.
For art, anyone may come up with a new formula easily, because there is no right or wrong answer like in technology. Another concrete example is that an expert or student from the field of art may find it easy to swift from one department or one job to another.