The Sartorialist,
Stuff White people Like,
and now 1000 Awesome Things (sorry, no image yet) have all been or are about to become books. To me this is one example of integration instead of replacement. There is no reason why digital publishing needs to ‘take over’ print or why they can’t work to compliment each other.
Most of my experience with blogging or social media is the Technology Vs Tradition argument that is constantly discussed in the art world. Most institutions are reluctant to acknowledge the Internet or digital publishing as a valid part of their operation because it is far too removed from the traditions of a museum/gallery. The major question however is, how do you provide online and digital programming that won't remove the desire to visit a museum or gallery? In the case of Tate Modern online, I would quite happily stay on this site all day!
I guess my question is to any of you museum/gallery visitors out there, what is your opinion of Museums online and what would you like to see of digital resources?
PS: My pick for the next blog to book title is Awkward Family Photos, it’s a best seller!!
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haha, I would definitely consider buying the Awkward Family Photos Album (there's a title already!) And I'd never seen 1000 Awesome Things before. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteAs for the gallery/museum question: when it comes to galleries, I go to really engage with a particular artist or series of artworks. The benefit is that you can focus on the art, look at it from all angles, see it in the real world. Then you can discuss it with the people there with you. For example, I could look at Dali's artworks online, watch films of his work and all, but I'd probably never have such a memorable or engaging experience as seeing his real artworks up close, and experiencing it with friends. You get the benefit of a quality curated space, a cohesive experience.
But online, there's the chance to learn even more, if I so choose. To go broader and deeper and make connections beyond the exhibit. As for museums, well, I like the chance for interactive and multimedia experiences and to be surprised. A bunch of things I want from a museum would take too long to download online, but I guess there's potential...
When it comes to it, like you say, it's not a 'versus' situation. Sometimes I want to get away from the computer and share a museum/gallery experience with friends or family. I can enjoy that, then complement it with further interwebbernetting...and thus my ramble ends.
The funny thing about this situation is that the only people concerned with virtual visitation are the people who run the institutions. Scare tactics are alive in the art world too!
ReplyDeleteI think you hit it on the head when you say that print and digital publishing should complement each other, rather than one force the other into extinction (as is human nature - please refer to all of history). As with the case of newspapers and blogs, traditional journalism and citizen journalism; a happy and constructive medium must be achieved. There is a lot to be learned from a variety of opinions and news sources, just as the uses of print and digital publishing are not mutually exclusive. The hippie in me says, cant we all just get along?
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