A new space for virtual art - While the debate about corporate business on the Internet reaches a feverish pitch, artists are quietly setting up shop in Cyberspace.

Andrew Dufferin

Kaleidospace, "the first commercial Internet site for the promotion and distribution of independent art," is a prime example of the merging of the culture and commerce on the Internet. Taking full advantage of the graphic possibilities of the World Wide Web--which helps to turn the complicated Internet into an intuitive, visual experience--Kaleidospace allows browsers to view and buy the works of independent artists from around the world.

Conceived by Jeannie Novak, an independent musician and UCLA communications graduate, Kaleidospace began as an alternative means of distribution for her new album Reign of Fire. She designed and programmed Kaleidospace between January and March 1994, then partnered with genetic engineer Peter Markiewicz to promote the new virtual galleries. Now, eight months later, Kaleidospace features the works of more than 50 artists from around the world, and is growing rapidly.

The site is divided into a number of different areas including visual arts, music, comics and the written word. Visitors to the virtual gallery are encourage to comment on works left by artists-in-residence such as comic strip writer P. Craig Russell, science fiction author David Brin and now, musical explorer Thomas Dolby. Users can access video clips, comics, stories, pictures and an assortment of other work. In addition, Kaleidospace has developed extensive links with other sites on the Internet that promote the arts. The result is an extensive network of indigenous artwork from around the world.

Response to the online buying has been mixed. Novak says that, although many people are interested in principle, they generally prefer to place their orders by snail-mail. "It will take people some time to get comfortable with buying online," cautions Novak. But she sees encouraging signs that people are warming up to the idea of buying on the Net: "Over 80 percent of our logins have looked at us before--so we think they will become buyers in the near future."

Unashamed to treat the Internet as a commercial zone, Kaleidospace is helping other cultural groups open their own shops on the World Wide Web--for profit, of course: "We feel that Kaleidospace will work best within a community of Internet sites, large and small."