By Georgia Hemmings, Staff ReporterToday, more persons are realising that with the Internet - with he click of a computer "mouse" - a global community is available for communication, information and business.
The potential is enormous in the field of art, for example. Through the Internet, art works can be promoted and viewed in faraway places, from "Down Under" (Australia) to Tahiti and Caribbean territories. Art watchers can view works at the Louvre in France or Smithsonian in Washington D.C. without ever leaving the privacy and security of home.
The fast-growing marketplace (estimated at some 70,000 new users daily) offers a mind-boggling channel for marketing and sales.
Through the Internet, an artist can can collaborate and communicate with another - discussing and comparing works, talking about new shows and announcing his/her own. And the 'Net even allows users to meet art critics - or become critics themselves.
Jamaicans joining in
Given the virtues and influences of this electronic highway, it's little wonder that some Jamaican artists are beginning to exploit cyberspace for their own personal gains.
Artist Dawn Vaz, for example, is excited as she prepares to launch a new commercial gallery on-line.
"There is a large untapped market abroad, and we must get our Jamaican art there," she explained to The Sunday Gleaner "And given the benefits of this fast-moving Internet technology, this might be the best way to break into this international marketplace."
Ms. Vaz is setting up "ArtWorks", with the assistance of its host company Jamaica On-line Limited, and hopes to offer services to artists, art collectors and other art galleries (see related story on Page 2F). But not all artists have Ms. Vaz's advantage of access to the Internet.
"Access to the Internet is a drawback for many Jamaican artists," concedes Vivienne Logan, newly-elected president of the Jamaican Artists and Craftsmen Guild. "Many do not have their own computer, or even access to one, and this surely impacts on their exploration of the possibility of the Web."
The guild has plans to assist artists in this endeavour, but, even where the basic tools are available (a computer, phone lines and other pieces of hardware), creating a personal presence on the Internet can be a costly challenge for artists.
High costs
Start-up costs can run into thousands of dollars, relating to setting up a Web site and maintaining it. Costs can run anywhere from $5,000 to more than $20,000, depending on the service provider and the length of time the site is maintained. Renewing the site can be very expensive, as well with attendant telephone bills.
Then there are there are concerns related to the quality of works offered on-line. While some original pieces are available, most works offered on-line are reproduction or prints.
"Works reproduced are easier to produce, sell, and even distribute overseas," explained Gilou Bauer, curator of the Mutual Life Gallery in Kingston.
But this convenience in terms of production and sale oftentimes has its downside in the quality of work produced. Take Gilche art, for example, which (with the aid of a computer) offers sharper reproductions at cheaper rates. But, over time, the colour fades from the print, thus affecting the quality of the work.
Security, privacy and copyright on data and works are other issues artists will have to contend with in relation to the Internet. They will have to ensure that content and images on their sites are not altered or vandalized, or corrupted.
But matters relating to purchase and distribution will also have to considered. As Mrs. Bauer explained: "Despite the progress with the Internet, collectors and art lovers still want to see the works being offered for sale. And so one will have to consider the logistics related to traditional viewing or providing additional information."
Most art purchases on the 'Net are effected by using international credit cards. But, in Jamaica, few persons have access to international credit cards.
But the problems have not daunted some artists, eager to make their contribution to increasing the cultural content of the the Web.
The Web site, hosted by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), has been attracting increasing interest from viewers and users alike, given its mandate of promoting Jamaican culture.
"Information relating to culture (music, fine arts, dance, speech, etc.) can be found at our site at www.jcdc.org.com," explains Claudette Thomas, documentalist at the JCDC. "And this on-line access to information has proven useful to the many users who browse on our site."
The commercial aspect (relating to advertising on the site) is something that's still being explored by the JCDC, even as they continue to educate about Jamaican culture.
Encourage
While putting works on the Internet might not bring fame or fortune to all artists, perhaps it might encourage others to put their work up. And this is the thinking behind Ms. Vaz's venture into cyber-commmerce with art.
"It's quite a challenge to us, and we have not yet ironed out all the kinks," she told The Sunday Gleaner. "But we feel that we must venture out now and sink or swim with the tide, or otherwise we will have lost an opportunity forever. We want to show other artists that the 'Net can be harnessed for growth potential in business."
It is a sentiment echoed by fellow artist and guild President Ms. Logan, who believes that the Internet will not replace the traditional methods of marketing and promoting art.
"No, the Internet will never replace the traditional methods of gallery sales or direct marketing. But it provides another alternatives," she said.
And, while the Internet can (or cannot) be compared as a "better" method, it offers advantages and conveniences that buyers and sellers of art should exploit," she stated.
