Art Goes Online

With the rise of the internet in the early 1990’s, information became more and more accessible on line and limitations seemed endless. This reasoning translated as well to the art world, especially in the 1994-95 art seasons when art that would more than likely never be seen outside of an art gallery in a certain locale, could be viewed by absolutely anyone in the world at anytime through online galleries. This concept is not limited to art in general, but also to museums and other tours as well.

One primary benefit of presenting art online is that an unknown can gain exposure they otherwise may have had a hard time finding. The downside of displaying art online is the quality of the image online compared to seeing a piece in person. In a way, it undermines the physical viewing experience, and can even elicit different emotions the artist perhaps did not intend to bring forth with their work.

Overall, the availability in viewing art online is just another prime example of the fluidity of information the internet has instigated since its conception. It also gives rise to the notion that art can be made strictly to be viewed on the internet, and that the internet can be used as a great tool for art education.

Posted By: Rob Goodman

Sources:

Atkins, Robert. (1995). The Art World and I Go Online. Art in America. 83 (12), pp. 58-59, 63.

Image retrieved from http://seattlejew.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html.