Art's new medium puts out message

The internet seems to be better for promoting and selling art than as a means of creating it.
GINNY ANDERSON talks to local artists.

Terence Handscomb, artist and lecturer at Massey University in Wellington, began using the internet for making art in 1991.

On a language scholarship, he travelled to Germany to study at the Goethe Institute, but art was also on his mind.

As a result, he soon met artists who were interested in using computers in their work, and became hook on the medium.

"Back in 1992 the internet was so exciting, I guess because the technology was so new.

"It took me four years to reach a technical level where I could achieve what I wanted.

"I ended up combining computers, videos and audio in interactive works that set out to challenge the viewer."

Handscomb received a grant from Creative New Zealand in 1998 for an interactive project entitled Space Invaders. This work invited the viewer to interact using a mouse, with images that mimicked controversial websites.

For example, there was documentation of physiological anomalies, autopsies, serial murderers and fatal accidents.

Most of the imagery was downloaded from the internet, particularly from bizarre websites, but portions of the audio were sourced from television.

However, when the project was complete the major art institutions organised to display the work found the subject matter too confrontational. Artspace in Auckland was the only gallery that displayed the work.

Handscomb says he was not necessarily trying to shock the audience, just to prove a point, and does not believe the argument presented for censoring or controlling the internet, or think that if viewers see deviant or violent images on the web they will act in the same way.

He says the reaction of most viewers was to turn away in disgust.

"In no way do I support paedophilia or anything else of this nature. But people don't necessarily end up acting out the images they see.

"Besides, before the internet, these images were available in print. Apart from this, the idea that the internet can be controlled is flawed from a technical viewpoint."

What is Handscomb doing now? Apart from teaching interactive web art, he has gone back to using video and audio for his artistic pursuits.

"I've become a bit bored with the internet, as the aesthetic has become largely determined by software like 'flash,' which makes it very hard to be original without huge technological resources.

"Plus it's so time-consuming and computers aren't that reliable, which makes it more frustrating."

Handscomb also blames the stunted growth of web art on corporate interests, which he says have affected its integrity, as in many cases business sponsorship has influenced content.

So if "art for art's sake" isn't where it's at on the internet, how then is the web working for artists?

Auckland artist Darlene Te Young launched her website two weeks before her first exhibition, hoping it would boost interest in the opening and provide an interface with customers.

"I've already had an inquiry from an art dealer in New York, but I'd be surprised if she would buy the work without viewing it."

Hawkes Bay artist Jane Gray, who also has an impressive website promoting and selling her vibrant canvases, agrees that people would be unlikely to order a work without seeing at least one example.

"The art world will continue to operate in the way it always has.

"You'll always need a professional person in a gallery backing you up and I think serous art buyers will always go to a gallery first."

But she says her site has been effective in creating interest among visitors to New Zealand.

"Tourists will have a look at what Kiwi artists have on the web, see my contact details and arrange to come and meet in my studio.

"People love coming to see where you work and more often than not they walk out with a painting under their arm."

Gray says her site has also been useful in working with galleries. "They'll see what work I have in stock from the web and then order online.

"They are already familiar with the size and texture of my work, so they know what to expect."

Not only has the net put her in contact with prospective buyers, it has also helped her to make some great friends.

"I met a German couple who are hellbent on me exhibiting with them in Germany."

The galleries are also getting in on the action.

Melanie Roger, manager of the Gow Langsford Gallery in Auckland, says its website has drawn sales inquiries from as far afield as Portugal.

"Although we haven't had any direct sales from the internet, we have been able to back up web contact successfully."

Melanie Roger says nothing on the web comes close to viewing a work in person.

"Seeing a painting after viewing the reproduction will usually make you feel something quite different."

Virtual viewing

Internet art at the Whitney

National Library collection - Colin McCahon

Museum of Modern Art

Text art

Art news

The Tate Modern

Jane Gray

Darlene Te Young

Artspace

Auckland Art Gallery

New Zealand art links

Museum of Contemporary Art

National Gallery of Australia

Te Papa

London art listings

Gustav Klimt

Net art