Final words.

Trying to adapt by Ric Stultz

AT the end of all this digital wandering through the web I've found it to be both exciting and frustrating. Exciting because there is so much out there, and frustrating because at times it was too much and time was always of the essence. My favourite way to go for a wander is definitely Stumble Upon it's like my internet tour guide. Knowing exactly what I like it takes me for a walk and points out all the more interesting sights or in this case sites. Just to make things more fun here is a little something it showed me the other day, an image by Ric Stultz, I feel this image is particularly poignant to our education in Web 2.0 - sometimes through out this class I felt a little like this.

The Internet and the environment

All this information about our world, earth maps and online communities has significantly changed the environmental movement. Recently a friend of a friend had organised a gathering for the 350 movement. Best explained in the following video of their mission and its evident success due to the internet:


As their site explains:

In order to unite the public, media, and our political leaders behind the 350 goal, we're harnessing the power of the internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009.

Other similar sites include the Global Footprint Network with the premise that as the world's biggest environmental impacting species, human beings, need to understand the impact they are making in order to see the outcome. Using interactive quizzes and imagery this website is enlightening to say the least.

Interactive art.

I think one of the most interesting ideas I have come across in exploring the web has been what is called Internet art. It is art that is user based, meaning the visitor needs to act in order for art to be created. The first such encounter, and probably still my favourite, is the Jackson Pollock experience. It took me months to discover clicking makes it a much more colourful work. Then there are the more weird art projects, like the Sheep collection this site is kind of strange but it gives insight into how we all vary in our perceptions of the world. Personally I prefer to have a bit more interaction, I mean that is what Web 2.0 is all about. So sites like Neave offer more variety, and more distractions.
One that I find to be almost medative is called Tinygrow, its where you build your own imaginary garden or forest. Then ofcourse there are the basic drawring sites, that are fun for a short period but really don't entice a very long stay. My two faverotes are when you get to be Picasso and one where you get to be your own Painting self.

Repetition is a downward spiral

We all know that the reality of news coverage is that most news bulletins run through the same few monopolies of news organisations so I thought it interesting when I found these sites, Project Censored informing on the news that was not mentioned through the big agencies. Closely aligned to Media Freedom International based in the US, it covers everything from politics to Facebook.

I forget how often I simply type in my news source into the address bar, I take it for granted that I have this amazing research tool right at my finger tips. Countless times I have surfed through the familiar to me news sites and re-read a story so many times it feels like I was there. News has become repetitive, which is a huge problem, it implies laziness, there is more than one story out there. Sites like Project Censored are particularly good for this sort of reality check on what we read and listen to.

Assignment three.

The following two posts are pertaining to the Australian art website ArtInfo. The first is a short feature and the second is a review.

What is Fair in Art.

The trend of Art fairs has been a major contribution to the economy of Contemporary artists, galleries and dealers. It is important to not only maintain a holistic knowledge of the art world but also to make contact with it directly. Art fairs can act as the local and international communication platform informing the industry of trends and significant changes. It is for this reason one must maintain a shortlist of Fairs, ones that are of local relevance for access and ones that are of particular resonance on an international scale. Here are some suggestions.

Melbourne Art Fair has been an important part of not only the Australia’s art culture but also as the leader in the Asia pacific region. The art fair provides the opportunity to promote contemporary art and living artist. It, like many Art fairs around the world is an important event for the art community, facilitating Collector Programs, Curator Programs, Public Lecture, Forums Program, Arts Publications, Private Lounge and Guided Tours. Traditionally a biannual event, this year it had been forced to become an annual event to adequately manage the costs. Dates: August 4-8, 2010

The Armory Show, held in the world capital of art; New York City has been an international institution for eleven years. The Armory show is regarded as the world’s leading art fair; its success is measured in the consistent increase in size and range. This year it expanded to make room a new section dedicated to dealers specialising in modern works.
Dates: March 4-7, 2010

Closer to home The Beijing Art Fair is an exciting recent addition to the world art fairs. First started in 2006 it is currently a leading contemporary art fair in China today. Hosting 100 exclusive galleries from around the world it attracts thousands of distinguished critics, collectors, art lovers and artists. The fair’s counter part is the Contemporary Photography Fair, giving a unique perspective on China’s leading photographers. It is the first of it’s kind in Asia, playing an important role in the development of fine art photography in China.
Dates: April, 2010

Art Fair Tokyo has grown in popularity and participation since its debut in 2005. It features a large variety of genres of contemporary art, modern paintings, nihonga, Asian works of art and antiques.
Dates: April 2- 4, 2010

One of the more intriguing and possibly more popular events is the Affordable Art Fair as the name indicates it is a fair where art works are within a lower cost range. Starting in London in 1999, the popularity of this fair has expanded to cities like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Australia’s Sydney and Melbourne.
Dates: Vary from city to city.

SCOPE is the largest and most global art fair in the world featuring emerging contemporary art with 7 markets worldwide. Through a unique program of solo and thematic group shows presented alongside museum-quality exhibitions, collector tours, screenings, and special events. It is held in 4 different locations within the USA, namely Hamptons, New York and Miami. Outside of the states it takes place in London and Basel.
Dates: Vary from city to city.

PULSE Contemporary Art Fair is a leading US art fair dedicated solely to contemporary art. Held annually in New York and Miami, PULSE bridges the gap between main and alternative fairs and provides participating galleries with a platform to present new works to a strong and growing audience of collectors, art professionals and art lovers.
Dates: March 4-7, 2010 New York City

The Bricoleur, Ricky Swallow – A review.

Killing Time, Ricky Swallow. Source: Ricky Swallow website photo: Karl Schwerdtfeger

The National Gallery of Victoria is currently hosting The Bricoleur, Ricky Swallow’s first major exhibition in Australia since 2006. Curated by Alex Baker the exhibition includes Swallow’s sculptures of crafted wood and bronze as well as the artist’s lesser-known watercolour series. Swallow is an Australian Artist who currently resides in California. His Killing Time (2003-04) piece (pictured), which features as the final masterpiece in this exhibition, was tremendously popular in the 2005 Venice Binnale, and was arguably his the turning point of his professional career.

The exhibition touches on several themes of the body, both of human and animal forms and the ideas of death as well as exploring the idea of permanence through objects. These themes do not however illicit a morbid mood or sadness associated with such ideas, rather the works united in this space seem to communicate with each other and the audience creating a relationship between the existing and the portrayed memory. Juxtaposed into a continuous story of the artist’s own thoughts and memories, the exhibition ends with the pieces Salad days (2005) and Killing time the later depicts a kitchen table with a bounty of fish and crustaceans it stylistically resembles classic paintings of 17th Century still life. As has been sited by a number of critics this work is a reproduction of the Swallow family kitchen table of the artist’s youth in San Remo, Victoria. The work is ubiquitous with autobiographical reference. It not only represents an object from Swallow’s past, but also the profession of his father, a fisherman.

Overall the exhibition is successful in its presentation, as the artist works directly with the curators. Swallow’s meticulous nature is clearly evident in the illumination of the works, revealing fine distinction of form and texture. This exploration of texture is spell binding as the formal qualities of the object are thrown off by the illusion of softness. Representation of cloth items, balloons and the human body is hyper real. One cannot help but feel the weight of the object is one which is being depicted rather than that of it s true form of wood.

In fact the sensual qualities of the works are spell binding, as one feels the urge to touch the seemingly frozen in time objects. As one makes their way through the space, this kind of tension builds. The Killing time piece had people approaching it from all sides and waiving their hands and fingers over it in a manner too close for comfort. As one NGV staff member said, there is a lot of monitoring of this exhibition as people consistently comment on the desire to touch these objects.
Before entering into the final gallery space Swallow has arranged Caravan (2008) a newer work consisting of his barnacle-encrusted balloons executed in finely brushed, golden, glowing bronze. Like the wood sculptures the viewers perception of the real form is challenged by the representation in bronze. Another set of works in this space is the wall pieces of bronze castings of found archery targets. The physical forms of the holes made by the arrows resemble the barnacles of the Caravan piece.

The Bricoleur offers viewers a number of thematic avenues for exploration. Primarily however it is a display of master craftsman ship and an important aesthetic experience.

Is that a photo booth? Is that a changing room? No, it's art.

Moving Galleries exhibitions have reignited Melbourne’s unique cultural identity.
A project engaging public transport commuters in art and poetry en route to their everyday tasks can be hailed as a success. Founded on a philosophy of accessible art, the initiative started in 2006 as inspired by similar projects in London and New York. The current exhibition, Transformation due to end in December, exhibits eighteen Artworks and twenty-three Poems across forty trains.

The Transformation exhibition documents some of Melbourne’s installation art, such as the works found in Melbourne Next Wave Festival and the Melbourne City Council Laneway Commission. As the art is no longer on show in the streets, the photographic records now displayed as decals on the train faced a challenge in conveying these works in a cogent manner.

“The images have to stand on their own. All of this work is ephemeral It just isn’t there anymore, so the image itself stands in for the original work. So you’ve got a synthesis of two works – the original artwork itself and the photograph of the artwork” Jessie Doring Moving Galleries’ Project Manager explains in an interview with street press magazine Trouble (Issue 62 October 2009).

Works like CITYtalking by Astra Howard, envisage the city as a web of creative communication. Her talking booth, moving through the laneways of Melbourne, encouraged passers by to participate in the work through a chat, their conversation then becomes part of the exhibition on the LED screen affixed to the outside of the booth. The work potentially involves those who don’t necessarily partake in the arts as it is placed outside of the usual parameters of exhibiting spaces. In the context of the Moving Galleries project it heightens the awareness of commuters to their street surroundings, and perhaps increases the likelihood of their participation in such projects.

The aim to bring about a wider audience for what is arguably a niche community of participating bodies is yet another step in the theories of modern Museology. A more egalitarian approach to the sphere of art appreciation is taking place through this project. Public space installations have acted as inspirational treats through out the Melbourne Laneways in the past, but their hidden and ephemeral nature limits the audience to a select few. Moving Galleries is increasing the exposure of art by the use of non-traditional spaces, it is not a revolutionary concept but it is an effective one.

Other works include Robbie Rowlands’ The Upholsterer an image from an instillation in the Depot exhibition. This work challenges viewer’s perceptions of the normal as he pulls the house to pieces; simply by pulling on what seems to be a thread, like those on a sealed envelope or a pack of smarties. The nature of photography acts as documentary testament to the last stages of the life of this house, how it is then destroyed is up to the imagination of the viewer. In this case it is up to the imagination of the passenger, in some cases an unlikely viewer, encouraged to let himself be carried away by the art as he is by the train ride.

The Moving Galleries projects can also be followed via Twitter and Facebook.

The Melbourne Stenci Festival - Review

The Melbourne Stencil Festival - The Underground

The Melbourne Stencil Festival is an annual event, which has been running since 2004. It rides on the coat tails of popular street artists like Ha-Ha, whose works are always a part of the exhibition and deservingly so. Time and again Ha-Ha has contributed complex composition pieces, with a depth exhibiting not only his curious and well-read nature but also a deeply Australian identity. His iconic image of Ned Kelly, without the helmet, featured in this year’s Award Exhibition held at the Yarra Sculpture Space. The works of Drewfunk during opening night had also eloquently carried over both the grassroots aspect of street art, namely aerosol to surface method without the filter of stencils, and the unique cultural styles of Melbourne.

The Festival’s other location was The Underground - a converted car park in Harmsworth Street, Collingwood - it held a film night, workshops and a charity auction at the end of the show.

This year the Underground projects and exhibition has given the festival a new energy. The curator Anna Briers has aptly captured the spirit of the street, which was lacking in the Gallery space. As an evolving space, it filled up during the course of the festival and at its peak it exhibited unanimously the works of new as well as established artists ranging from stencils on canvas and found objects, to sculpture, installations and projections. At its peak, The Underground, successfully carried across the egalitarian aspect of street art and its liberal communication with the public, in a non-obtrusive harmony.

The entire space was consumed with an eclectic array of experiences. Interstate artists Ololo contributed to the show by painting a van. A cubby house structure in one corner with a projection by the artist Elva Carri, acted as a kind of intimate and private space, where parents often found their child who had run off. The size of the location made it possible to get lost in the happenings of one area and be completely unaware of a different project on the other side of the car park. This worked well however, as visitors got a perpetual feeling of activity.

The Underground adequately highlighted the need to remain true to the art form from which the festival stems. The Street Art aspect is undermined somewhat in the Gallery space when some of the exhibiting artists admit to having never painted on the streets, arguably the true home of Melbourne’s stencil art. This aspect is important, as the street is the first point of contact, there the works are politicised, criticised and admired within the context of their competition to the signs of consumerism. They exist outside it, which by no fault of the Festival, they cannot do in the Gallery where they are the commodities.

End.

Introduction

The assignment is made in part for ArtInfo. This website contains, reviews, news items on art and artist profiles. The content is very interesting to art enthusiasts however the site is lacking in terms of links; it does however contain some multimedia, which works really well for the site.
Therefore for the purpose of this assignment and in regards to how I think this website should be improved my articles contain links, but are written for the audience of ArtInfo. This does not warrant a new site, just some improvements on the old.

There will now be two stories as two separate posts for two sections of the site, namely Articles and Reviews

What is past can only be the future.

Without going into the detail of my endless search for entertaining, informative or else educational material for my blog I can only comment on what I have found in the last week and hope against all hope that ye will comment. (Did anyone take part in TalkLikeAPirateDay? I tried. Failed horribly.)

Rondez-boo!
A close friend, who insisted I put this in my blog, has found herself to be emotionally exposed through blogging by an ex love (who may or may not be a stalker - jury's still out). His travel blog (which is long winded to say the least) also reveals intimate details of a relationship's end.

This wouldn't have been so much of a problem if he were to keep this blog hidden from the eyes and gossip of their mutual friends - alas - he has not. And my poor friend, must suffer in private silence; for the blogging world is not her domain. This for me brings up a number of moral issues, should this guy have not written anything about the relationship's demise at all? Does she have an obligation, more to herself than the world, to set thing straight online?

I'm of the opinion that; no. She should not have to "bare" the consequences of his winging, and he should not be so thoughtless as to air their personal affairs to people who both know and don't know them. Am I misunderstanding his rights? Am I living in an old fashioned comprehension of what is Web 2.0?

Mix it up. Live it up. Create it again.
The following is a short documentary entitled "RiP: A Remix Manifesto". It touches on what has been a hot topic since... well the sharing of files online, even in Australia. The video speaks one side only, which gets forgotten when the funky dance and music takes over.

My sentiments on the subject tend to lean towards the original concept: let us have file sharing not "maintaining the legal right of". If it is good why not share it and let it be a muse for new things.

Which way will you go?



Do you remember the days when listening to the radio you would record your favourite song on tape? Well friends, that was a crime. Now this crime is easier to track and hence to punish.

I be confused matey... aargh!
I want us all to share ideas, but surely there must be a limit. Can we honestly hurt people or profit from their work and still sleep soundly at night? Is there a new moral high ground? Or do the old rules still apply, don't steal, don't lie, don't manipulate. I can only assume that we will simply learn from our mistakes, for what is past must also be the future.

“Got a smoke?” “No. Sorry, I quit.”

So my housemate brought home a copy of The Guardian today and I read this article (which I could only locate a copy of on the Voice UK)on the tobacco industry, it broke my heart and I wanted to share it. It is amazing how much we take for granted in the western world, from diamonds to cigarettes; our indulgences are the pains of the third world. Justice seems far.
I'm sure you could give me hundred of examples just like this.

A little chat on the net.

I have a friend who is not someone I would call particularly nerdy, in terms of knowing computers and the internet in depths outside those of the average user, but she always knows the “right” website. She never ceases to amaze me with newly found content. I constantly see her posting interesting articles and bits of trivia on her Facebook and I am amazed at her depth of navigation through the Internet. She seems to know not only how to look but also where to look for things that interest her.

I think I’d have to spend ions doing research she can do in three to five minutes. So I’m going to question her about these things. I’m going to get to the secret of productive web surfing, in the hope of one day having someone ask me where he or she should look for things.

Hi E.,

Hi!

So what kind of stuff do you like doing E. you know, in your spare time?

I explore! Everything: Internet, cities, shops, buildings, websites, people's minds, their photos, music - everything. There always seems to be something interesting to find out about or someone to learn about or meet or something or to see or look at.


To plan for doing recreational things do you use the Internet?

All the time. I look at Street press and posters and any other bits of floating ephemera I might find in shops or magazines during my explorations but it's almost always supplemented by, if not preceded by, some sort of information, ad or article I've seen on the net somewhere for an event, exhibition, gig or what not.

What else do you use it for?

I use the internet for 'official ' research, as in focused and dedicated information searches for my work, day-to-day living; house searching, specific shopping, reading the news, looking up environmental and political info that I've heard about, bill payments! or other jobs that I'll take on (writing projects etc.).


In the end, unless it's actual shopping, it's all researching and information gathering I guess but that sort of thing does feel very different to the 'exploring' I described above. A focused search requires a fair amount of willpower to not go off on just any interesting sounding tidbit or lead which contains that enticing possibility of finding some random gem of information! It's much more of a 'narrow' perspective as such; I really have to focus on not getting distracted by anything and everything!


Oh, I use the internet for some social interaction I suppose – Skype, Facebook or emails - but really, aside from exploring and sharing whatever’s cool (to me!), I'm a total luddite. I can't stand the concept of socialising or active interactions via the web. I like to talk too much!!


Oh, I watch old music video clips and some mash-up previews on Youtube too. In fact, Youtube probably constitutes the bulk of the 'dead' time I may spend on the internet ;) But it's fun! And there are some amazing video clips out there.


Would you call yourself proficient when using the Internet? If not what level would you give yourself in the knowledge and navigation through the web?

Um.................no. I can't even download music! I'd love to be able to build websites or design them but other than gleaning information from all the stuff I look at, see or sign up for - I'm no computer person. It's just like a big, glorified, bright, jumpy, exciting and constantly updated encyclopaedia for me. Which contains things that I can occasionally also afford to buy or implore others to!

How often do you stumble on things of interest simply by going on a tangent?

All the time. In fact, this is my general method. Just follow your nose – I say.

Would you say it’s a main source of information for you regarding news, events or your personal interest?

Yes, for me, it's a main source of information on all three. Even if you don't go to the events you find - I sign up for updates on everything, even seminars in New York –you find out about really interesting speakers on anything; environment, design, the arts, science, sometimes even economics!


What advice would you give a high school kid about the dangers of the Internet?

Do whatever you feel you want or need to, just don't have photographic evidence of it!

Seriously though, that's the truth. What you do is your business, no one else's so share whatever you want with friends on sites like Facebook and Myspace etc but just remember that anybody else can see what you're posting, that literally means ANYBODY. Out of the six billion people out there in the world (or however many of them have internet) some are good, and some are really, really bad. You should try to trust that'll you'll meet the good ones in life, that being said you should always be careful in giving details over the net where you may pick up some really, really bad people as well. It’s common-net-sense.

If you had to pick one would you say the Internet is “good,” “bad” or “ugly”?

All three depending on how you use it. I think if it's viewed as a tool which allows you to explore the world and human culture and whatever that produces (science, art, anything), it's awesome!

And finally can you share a couple of sites that you find particularly interesting or entertaining?

Ah, there's so many! Especially depending on your interests. I love design and weird, cool things that I'll probably never know how to use properly – so for that I'd have to say www.swiss-miss.com - it's a design blog by a Swiss designer, www.thecoolhunter.com.au - it's fun and often funny, this is for the Melbournian in the know - www.threethousand.com.au, www.thedesignfiles.net - this is a cool Melbourne designer, who shares some inspirational ideas online.
Also this business ideas site, is strange but I like it - www.springwise.com and just like it bosts "For weekly inspiration" - www.lostateminor.com Both of those definitely rate a mention!

Thanks E. see you on Facebook :)

Assignment one

The myriad of information, which passes through the Internet each day, is constantly being adjusted and manipulated for increased user friendliness and navigation. As one inevitably joins this realm of hyper reality certain rules and guidelines assist in the process. The arts as an industry, an aspect of cultural individuality and identity take a unique role in this. The ability to relate to artists, enthusiast and proficient Internet users, who may not be either of the previous two, is a delicate balance.

The following essay will explore three websites, whose main focus is the contemporary art scene, including, but not exclusive to, reviews of shows, promotions of new shows, artist profiles, community discussions and forums and all art related news. Namely this discussion includes, NY Arts Magazine (NYAM), ArtReview, and ArtBlart these sites reach both a local and international platform, as further analysis is made on individual articles and the sites as a whole these elements will become more obvious. As a general guideline the expectations of any website in 2009 are the ability to accurately convey relevant information in a user friendly and interesting manner. Artist and enthusiasts are often behind in their use of new technology; this is particularly seen in the following analysis, as the sites reveal certain shortcomings.

As a start this essay will look at the NYAM, as a parallel online version to the printed magazine, established in 1995. Predominately used by New York City inhabitants it currently has more that 20 million annual hits according to NY Art New Media site. Its archives and newsletters are updated daily and the site includes 2,000 galleries, 10 800 shows, 40 000 artists, and 35 000 images. Founded by Abraham Lubelski, the site outlines its mission to actively promote the understanding and appreciation of contemporary art worldwide by providing easily accessible art information.

The layout of the site is simple and easy to use; it has a number of constant items framing the content, the menu for the site and a search option sit on top of the screen. On the right hand side is a directory of Sponsor links, these are links to blogs and sites of a similar theme and interest including Art Fair calendars. As a generalisation websites preoccupied with art provide links to other such pages, should these share a common theme, idea or stream of art. This makes it easier to navigate one’s way through the number of websites on offer. Also it links the reader to a niche community of artists and enthusiasts. NYAM also contains links to artist’s sites, working well for the site’s popularity, as an accessible tool to artists, academics and enthusiasts.

The home page offers a number of stories to choose from, the content for this is skimable as one scrolls through a list of titles, thumbnail images and first few words of the story. Most articles are short; they describe works of the artist or present expectations for a show. There are two ways of accessing the text, either through clicking on the title or through a “Read more” link at the end of the short summary. The “News” page is given a more serious look, as the images are omitted, leaving just the headline and the first few words of the articles. This being a website on art this kind of look diminishes from the usability of the site. Most readers would require the strong prompt of an image to take an interest, as art is primarily about aesthetics.

As a student of arts my attention was immediately drawn to the “Reviewed” section. These articles are a bit longer than those on the home page and although they maintain the same layout; headings, picture and text they are more difficult to read. The articles look bulky and feel as though simply a copy of the print version. They have no links to connect themes, artists or even galleries to adequately make use of their online presence. Looking at Thomas Mallone’s review Picture This the reader is offered a minor biographical overview of photography artist Annie Leibovitz, with a description of some of her more memorable photographs of celebrity figures. The images are ones that may be familiar to many, as they made headlines and front covers of popular magazines, such as Vanity Fair. One example is the image of naked and heavily pregnant Demi Moore, however many are obscured in memory, and need to be viewed again for reference. This article contains a single image without any links to the others it mentions in the article. The reason for this is that it is a direct copy from and referenced to the New York Times. This detracts from the credibility of the site, as it seems to be lacking in journalistic integrity of research or even editing. One reason content managers are using other media for reviews may be that as a site with focus on art and artists it unites media into one location, for ease in research. However as a site for artists and art enthusiasts, it requires more images to accompany these reviews, which can easily be done during editing with links to avoid copyright issues.

Art Review is a social networking site also aligned with a print magazine, it however, has a different approach to that of NYAM, it’s focus is building a social networking site for the art world, creating a global forum for discussion, interactivity and debate. The site allows its users to post artwork, contribute to blogs, videos and comment on or rate content, as well as create discussion groups and forums, all of which is monitored by the editorial staff.
As a social network site, the layout is key. It has to not only connect to the online community but as an art network community it must provide current information on exhibitions and artists, as well as remain a reliable source of reviews. This site, like NYAM, has a constant frame around the content, with a selection of Languages, site menu as well as search option by keywords.
Articles can be accessed either through the home page “News” section or through “First Views” section. All articles are presented in simple news style, with a heading and a by-line. There is no kicker although some headlines have intriguing titles, such as Model arrested at the Met. The news stories are simple and punchy, they don’t elaborate into too much detail yet provide a catalyst for discussion amongst the members. All news stories allow members to comment, with the ability to use hyperlink and upload files; this makes communication easier and more enjoyable for online users.
The Magazine aspect of Art Review is lacking however, viewed through Flash Player as if a print magazine, one can flick through the pages or locate the desired article by clicking on the titles in the contents page. This means that articles have not necessarily been adjusted to fit online reading. The content is not skimable, yet the layout of the magazine is relatively easy to read when compared to the content of NYAM, further the articles contain links to external sites.
The article on the Venice Binnale in the Summer Issue is a clear example of this; an interview is presented with short articles on the Binnale’s artists surrounding it in an easy to read layout with full colour. The works of video artists Ragnar Kjartansson as well as Elmgreen and Dragset are also linked to in Youtube, a privilege missed by the readers of the print version. The visual aspect of viewing articles in a print magazine format creates an air of credibility as one associates these with traditional elements of print journalism.

Credibility on the Internet is an important aspect for the continued interests of readers. Traditionally blog writers have been dismissed as a non-reliable source of information due to the idea that anyone can write in a blog and may not have the credentials of a journalist, who write on only what matters to them. Over time however, the relevant and justified opinions of blog writers have contributed rather than hindered journalistic endeavours. A good Australian example is ArtBlart, an Australian blog on art, hosted by wordpress.com. The author, Marcus Bunyan, artist and critic incorporates images, in depth analysis of art and exhibitions. Set out in blog format, one can access archives and artists through a constant side menu of dates and names. One can also search through article titles, or artist’s names. The blog’s titles are not particularly attention grabbing, instead these have a ‘news item’ feel to them, like Opening: ‘Little Treasures’ and ‘Clay Cameras’ at Helen Gory Galerie, Melbourne. One can also browse through the tags, which are an excellent option for those whose knowledge on art is limited but who are looking for a theme or idea.

Being a blog based site, the reader is given more opportunity for discussion and communication with the author. There is also a “Share This” option allowing readers to bookmark or pass on the pages and reviews of interest. The NYAM had a similar choice available whereby the reader can add the article to their social networking and bookmarking sites such as Facebook, Reddit, Delicious or Mixx, through an option at the end of each review and news item. The ability to do this quickly and without hassle is a very useful tool for site promotion. It need only take one good article and the ability to pass it on in order to make a site popular.

ArtBlart contains a number of images for each review of a show, such as the John Brack retrospective at NGV Australia. Furthermore, these images often include installation shots, supporting the premise that a level of research is involved, as these images are only available to insiders and the media. These images also contain a note of copyright, which reiterates the credibility and authority of this author.
This being said however the personal aspect of blog writing is strongly evident and hinders on some of that credibility. As certain institutional relationships become evident, such as those between the author and the NGV, whose shows dominate the content of the blog. However as stated earlier, it is an expectation when reading a blog that the content will be personalised, it is simply a matter of trusting the opinion of the author. The onus remains with the author to establish this credibility through the many tools of the Internet.

Although the three sites have all displayed certain shortcomings, it is safe to say that the contemporary art industry has greatly benefited from the tools of the Internet. It has seen an increase in local and international sharing of images, ideas and discussions. Through a continued effort it is likely that sites will become more familiar with the needs of its readers adjust accordingly.

This is not provacative.

What is my problem! I mean really. It seems so simple to write down your opinions and thoughts. Why is keeping up with this assignment a problem or rather a delayed reaction on my part. It should be perfectly easy to contribute a stream of my consciousness to the web. Is it the aspect of being assessed? No, I don’t believe it is, being in the system of higher education for as long as I have been…. Well there is just no problem in that department.

Is it possibly my awkwardness with the technology that makes me so incapable of conforming to the current Internet standard? I don’t feel incapable of completing this assignment but there is something awkward of even the most detached discussion through blogging. Ultimately the reader is connected directly to the writer. There is opportunity for discussion and reaction. It can be guaranteed to reach the author. This is unprecedented with print. True one could always write a letter to the editor but in the arrogance of the journalism room this would be dismissed. I mean there will be plenty of people who read your paper even if one does not. But the blogging system is so different. It is about the connection you make with your reader. The reader, more then ever, is the important aspect of this connection. And for the first time since Barthes declared the writer to be dead the technology has shown us how that can be turned on its head.

The idea that Barthes gives basically (and I mean basically) empowers the reader and takes away some of the preconceived ideas of the power of meaning from the author. This technology, however, reinstates that power to some level, as communication between the reader and the author becomes more frequent and each takes on the other’s role.

It is a complex idea and a long-winded way to state my struggle with this form of self-expression. I guess I’m old fashioned. I believe conversation and interaction should be on a face-to-face level. Here is a beautiful video to show just why. I think at the end of it you’d have to agree that understanding and reading is part intuition and visual contact to the author of the idea is key. VIDEO

As I said. Maybe not provocative, but hopefully thought provoking.

Inter-literate

Just wanted to work out what it means to be literate in relation to the Internet. Is the use of the Internet the simple navigation through the abundance of information an indicative sign as to the literacy level of the user? Or is it the fact that any user, no matter how familiar, is using the Internet for any and all aspects of inquiry? I’m starting to believe that it is the combination of these two aspects. As one, inevitably, leads to the other, once a user is more familiar the frequency of use is increased; equally increased use will lead to knowledge in the manipulation of the medium. Aside from the overwhelming levels of online entertainment and shopping, the Internet is the single most accessible tool for self-educating without hours of research.

What happens in most academic circles is that no matter how much research is conducted through the Internet ultimately there will be a physical written source that will need to be accessed. I have a more entertaining exercise in mind however. Let us assume that the Internet is the super computer from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, It is therefore able to answer that unanswerable question of all "What is the meaning of life?", the answer may not be a simple one but somehow through a search an answer can be formed. Just have a try. Start at the basics: Google - a bit of a mix from the definition source to the inspiring and philosophical. NEXT. Yahoo, much the same really. Internet literacy here however requires a more in depth search one that probes the existing answers: Youtube, Answers, About, Searchgeek, Bing, Cuil, Mamma. All these are search engines and all are able to draw in on separate pieces of information to draw together an idea. I guess being Internet literate is not about the answer as much as it is about the search. Along the way you learn what is existentialism and how a collection of data can be organised in a mathematical and systematic format to tell you all kinds of things, even things about yourself. (Enter your birth date)

Hope you had a bit of fun. I was just hoping to remind us all (this includes myself) that there is more than just Google out there.

ON AIR... Are these people serious?!

The story so far: Kyle and Jackie had a radio show. They often did segments involving the public and the public’s real and honest feelings, reactions and stories. One day [29/07/09] they did a show where they asked a 14-year-old girl, with the presence of her mother, some very revealing and personal questions. On Air of course! In the end they messed it all up by being insensitive and unprofessional when the girl revealed a rape experience.

Now the tone of this blog may sound a little pretentious, or even judgmental, if you are in any way offended by it. I say too bad. I, unfortunately for my own intellect, read in today’s paper that Kyle Sandilands will be fired from the Australian Idol and possibly his radio show on Austereo's 2Day FM following the repercussions of the above mentioned incident. Personally I don't watch or listen to either - mainly because they're crap. But what did get my attention is that The Age in their report on this, used the comments of fans from the Idol website as a source of valuable reporting! I don't know what is more embarrassing for the Australian media, the fact that grammatically incompetent people can make it into the news:

Blogger Melissa wrote: "I think this whole thing has been blown out . I feel the mother is to blame she knew about and asked her daughter that question not Kyle. Get off his back and I will think twice about watching this year." The AGE (4/8/09) The AGE

Or, the fact that there are people who actually believe that Kyle and Jackie O aren’t possibly the worst Radio DJ’s in the country. Their stardom and popularity gives them a unique opportunity to instill some positive ideas but they have time and time again chosen the insensitive (and unfortunately popular) gags to up their ratings and fatten their wallets.

Mainly I think it is the consistent lacking in Entertainment News to provide any enlightenment or food for critical thought. I went to my usual ‘diner’ for such appetizing ideas - ABC’s Media Watch. Sure, there is a sarcastic tone of judgment from the show but just have a read at what the two Radio DJ’s have hosted in the past Media Watch. For a balanced news item it would have been a little more impressive if The Age had used a comment from this website:

Keep Kyle and Jackie O off the Air!
 Why does he get paid so much money to be a jerk? Nothing he contributes to radio is ever positive; it always has a rude and negative slant to it. Which is why I stopped listening to them a long time ago! (Orange Girl, Media Watch website)

Finally a comment on the pathetic self-defense article by Kyle, he made an attempt to clarify the situation. Stating in his letter on The Punch that in hearing the 14-year-old girl confess to rape while hooked up to a lie detector on his show with Jackie O – stunned him. Seriously?

It stunned him so much so, that he was unable to (with a 7 second delay) cut the show from air and blame it on a technical fault. A technique they teach all hosts of radio shows in the first week. A technique which to a Radio host of so many years (excuse me here not sure of how many exactly but at least 10) just didn’t occur?! SERIOUSLY? I say pull the plug on the whole damn thing, sponsors get out, and radio station re-model your programming.

Lastly, The Age, up your damn standards and introduce some critical thinking to your readers, even those who read Entertainment News.

end.

this is my blog for all you crazy blogging kids.

I have to admit that blogging, though not new to me seems a little bit scary. I'm not one to look after things well, seriously, all my plants have always died....