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'). > Actually, I just wrote a term paper, and presented a seminar on this very topic! I took the approach that virtual galleries, and museum web sites are a positive thing, and at least a means of encouraging people who perhaps do not have access to museums, to visit them at their own leisure. Museum home pages allow gallery viewers to become aquainted with collections and exhibit set-ups before hand so that they can plan their visit more effectively. With the use of 3D imaging and virtual galleries, the experiences will only become more valuable to internet gallery enthusiasts. I do feel that it will be very difficult for internet galleries to replace the experience of visiting a real institution. I'd also be interested in hearing what others think will happn in the future. I presented this topic to a fairly small seminar class (4 th year contemporary art history class at Mcmaster University, Ontario Canada) just a few weeks ago, and found that although most students were well aware of e-mail, they had not had much experience with "surfing the web" and exploring internet museums and galleries.(as part of the presentation we visited some sites on the web) It was therefore quite difficult for them to predict or envision how these "on-line institutions " will affect us. Needless to say that internet exhibitions are not for everyone, and of course not everyone has access to them, as we are all aware, the numbers are only increasing! I think that it is very important to discuss and research topics such as this since this appears to be the way technology and communication is moving, and it will definately have an effect on the way the public interacts with the museum and vice versa. Jennifer Clark (Hon. Art History) Mcmaster University, Hamilton, Ontario Canada