Re: [-empyre-] galleries & ........

[Reiner Strasser <reiner.s@netartefact.de>]

Thanks for the reply, Christine.

I agree with what you are writing here
- but want to add some notes.
> In the "public" / art scene. There definitely is growing interest, and new
> media art is moving through the stages that any "new" medium is going
> through (nothing new here). But it is still far from being accepted, and I
> think that the treatment of new media art in large survey shows is at least
> an indication of the role it plays in the art world at large.
> 
> Judging from my experience, there is a huge gap between the level of
> understanding and approaching this art in the "new media community" vs. the
> art world and public at large. When it comes to the latter, you're often at
> the very basic level of introduction because there is a profound lack of
> critical "vocabulary" and understanding of the basics of the medium. (Not
> meant as a criticism, it's part of the evolution of a medium.) Why is it
> art? still remains the main question.
This question will come across when showing any kind of art to the "public"
(people not handling with art) - not only new media, contemporary art but
also art from the "Moderne" ........
Back to "new media".
Well the "kinds" of art realized under this "headline" are very different in
themselves - nevertheless it might be of interest to look at "What", "In
Which Way" and "Why" is "readable" or not (for the art world and public at
large).
> 
> For me, a net art show at a museum is a good opportunity for a first
> introduction of this art to a completely new audience. Even if the
> installation isn't too successful and inviting, it is an opportunity to show
> people that this art exists and hopefully inspire them to take a look at it
> again at their home computer. It's always interesting to observe the myriad
> forms of reactions and rejections. Of course, ideally you want a form of
> presentation that is engaging and shows you the work in a way you couldn't
> experience it at home. While net art is ultimately "public" art, it is a
> challenge to successfully show it in public places and I believe there needs
> to be a connection between the public space of the net and the public space
> of the gallery. The Apartment is a very good example (Marek mentioned the
> way it was shown at Eindhoven earlier). In that form of installation, you
> can experience it in a way that would never be possible at home and it
> really benefits from that form of extension.
My experience of presenting "net art" in public spaces/gallery/museum are
very different (sorry, I have not very much). Some works really work fine by
simply "projecting" (esp. works using less or no interactive elements).
Works with more or concentrated on "mechanical" interactivity are more
difficult - the experience when taken by a viewer - is different (does not
mean worser) - [and can be enhanced or changed as mentioned in the example
in form of an installation or by creating other forms of "interfaces"].
Often user habits, handling problems and the place itself (gallery, museum)
interrupts an experience of the piece.
.
.
.

best wishes

Reiner