In his seminar, the Internet-activist Andy Müller-Maguhn tells us what to expect next year in the net-intergrated world. He begins with a few stories about computer net­ working and the possibilities of electronic communication. The development of individual mailbox systems are thoroug­ hly discussed because of the decisive role that they play since the current technological changes and applications. Not only is last year's Internet-hype and the Information- Superhighway debate touched upon; the visionary principles resulting from them are introduced here as well.
As an historian and authority, Professor Gottfried Kerscher comments on the present state of Internet art. His seminar is featured as a theoretical discourse on art production through new media, and he addresses the question: to what extent do digital works, especially with Internet art- characteristics, assume innovative positions as new art forms that promote new inherent structures?
With the artists themselves will be discussed how they de­ fine their positions in the Internet, what they expect from netintegrated projects, and the opportunities that they see in interactive art. Konrad Becker (A) and Erich Hobijn (NIVD) will also present their Web-projects which, though stylistical­ ly distinct, offer reflections on the Internet as an artistic medium. Art production and adoption are the focal points for the closing discussions. To be discussed here are not only the technical opportunities the net offers creative users, or an adequate "presentation" of their works, but also the global context of these creative endeavors. On today's agenda are the following topics for discussion: Commercializing networks and the effects, cost structures, "user" functions, profiles on clients, individually chosen and received information, changes in the communication struc­ ture, ASCII vs. Multimedia-tarara (Are we becoming dyslexic mouse-shovers? Where are the Internet-Communication Schools?), unlimited access to information and global cultu­ re vs. FDGO (Why Internet represents an extension of the freedom of speech, and where the boundaries of freedom of communication are drawn ... Does networking under­ mine the power of the state?)
Andy Müller-Maguhn. Art in the Internet and Internet art are separate entities. Internet art reflects upon the new medium, its novelties and its aesthetic as well as technical laws. Art in the Internet col­ lects, depicts and publicizes art whose inherent properties are unlike those of electronic art. Only Internet art connects to the modern notion of art, and by leaving/freeing itself from the traditional modes of formal presentation. In this context, art, as a medium, is both invigorated and raised to a level beyond that of a 'high art' for the living-room.
Prof. Gottfried Kerscher. presentation of web projects
Konrad Becker, Institute for Advanced Cultural Technology Public Netbase to
tO-Netbase concernes most with interactions between cultu­ re, technology, science, politics, art and society. Demonstration of the tO-Server with VRML applications. (http://www.to.or.at)
Erik Hobijn, netband: The Egg of Internet
Internet is given a gift: an egg, the usual non-digital kind, from a healthy hen. With an "apparatus" the Internet user can visit the egg - follow its growth and, 21 days later, for the good of the newborn chick, make contact with it. (http://www.desk.nl/~netband)