---------- From: Regan Myriam Lee To: DOWNS, Trish Subject: Re: INTERNET EXHIBITIONS Date: Tuesday, April 09, 1996 9:02PM On Tue, 9 Apr 1996, DOWNS, Trish wrote: > Would anyone like to discuss with me the implications of exhibitions on the > internet? For example, 2D images versus 3D images; possible impact on public > programs; general impact world wide (eg increased access);; what sort of > exhibitions are/could be in existence, etc; what impact would internet > exhibitions (images of objects) have on the museum's unique'drawcard' > (access by the public to the 'real thing'). > > I'd be really interested in any comments on the above or any other thoughts > of any Museum-L subscribers. Discuss on Museum-L or contact me on my email > address. > > Trish > Museum of Victoria > Melbourne, Australia > [log in to unmask] > Doug replied: >I'm very interested in internet exhibits, Trish, and would be interested >in a discussion group. How do you want to proceed? You could continue >the thread you've started, and we could all talk to the list. Then >someone (usually the thread initiator <G>) would prepare a cogent >summary of the discussion for all to download. >First item to discuss might be: is 'virtual exhibit' an oxymoron? ************************************************************* >Doug Hoy Evaluation National Museum of >[log in to unmask] & Science & Technology >(613)998-6863v Research P.O.Box 9724, Station T >(613)990-3654f Ottawa K1G 5A3 CANADA ************************************************************* Regan also replied: >Trish, >I'm interested! This is an intriguing, and important, consideration. On >the one hand, exhibits on the "net" are a positve way to allow those to >see what they might not otherwise seek out. It is also a "quick fix" for >those of us who want to see a particular work ....but there is something >artificail about it all. Viewing folk art, for example...much of which is >3d (well, it all is, isn't it?) one cannot properly see the work. BUt it >could encourage those to seek out more info. on such things, once they've >seen it via the net. MOre coudl be said on this...it's late, (or seems >so, been a long day) but I've wondered about all this as well. >Regan Doug What an interesting idea ie your question: <... is 'virtual exhibit' an oxymoron?> The unique 'product' possessed by museums and which we presume gives the museum its special quality is its objects ie the museum has 'the REA:L thing'. So how can this uniqueness be conveyed by virtual exhibitions. What implications arise from the presentation of exhibitions via the internet . Perhaps it would be a means of advertising the product and, hence, attract audiences to view the 'real thing'. Perhaps this would be the only way some audiences can be reached and access to a virtual exhibition is better than no access at all. But to get back to the original question - Is 'virtual exhibit' an oxymoron. I think it must be if we take 'exhibit' to mean something tangible. Can an image on a computer screen be an 'exhibit'? And 'virtual' - doesn't this mean almost the same as 'the real thing'? I also agree with Regan that seeing an exhibition on internet is better than not seeing it at all. ITrish Downs Museum of Victoria Melbourne Australia