Re: [-empyre-] real net art

[Sylvie Parent <sylvie_parent@sympatico.ca>]

> I do wonder where all the real net art has gone to?
> it isn't interactive any any more and i tend tho think that that is not
> productive or healthy. why dont artists want to have dialogue - is it about
> control, are they scared of being questioned. will/has internet art as we
> knew it becomes a blip on the electronic radar like umatic video -quickly
> forgotten by everyone.
> and the internet itself becomes merely a delivery medium  for commercial
> content -with limited interactivity. just like a million channels of bad
> cable.. nasty to contemplate.

I feel nostalgic, at times, about "real net art" but I can't help to be
intrigued by what's coming up next and fascinated with new explorations
as well. As we go on with the evolution of the medium it is important to
acknowledge the tremendous and inspiring works created by the
"pioneers".

In fact, many early web projects were narrative (Waxweb, to name a
famous one) and I think that the new film-like works continue this
tradition while using recent web technologies and taking advantage of
more powerful computers and high bandwidth. 

The web has been one more area responding to our natural appetite for
stories. Its intimate nature, its technical possibilities and
limitations, its accessibility gave birth to very interesting works that
would have not been thinkable for cinema (almost always dictated by
commercial purpose). Even if these narrative projects do not encourage
the global network, the one-to-one relationship is still a valuable
option. 


Sylvie