interview with Kim Stringfellow by Shel Erb

Shel Erb: How would you describe net.art?

Kim Stringfellow: I'm interested in the world wide web as a platform for public art and discourse. I see web-based media as vital as photography was to art at the beginning of the last century. Interactive art is exciting because it incorporates image, text, animation, audio, video and user interactivity into a dynamic presentation. Because the technology is moving quickly it makes and exciting time for developers and artists. As someone who also creates physical objects, it is refreshing for me to create a work of art that only exists within the 'ether' of the net.

SE: How would you describe your digital narrative?

KS: My work right now is currently focused on dissecting various regional environmental issues (Greetings from the salton Sea and salmoncity.net) where I can create awareness of important ecological issues, educate and promote activism. I am also interested in personal narratives that deal with emotive issues such as human desire (The Charmed Horizon) and the sublime (upcoming project). A lot of work out there deals with the technology and our relationship with it. It seems that many people are drawn to my work because of the emotional issues and relationships I evoke with this public medium.

SE: Where do you feel the future of online internet art is going in today's rapidly changing technological environment?

KS: It will just get better, more complex and interesting. I hope more artists, performers, writers get involved in web. It is a great way to self-publish.

SE: How did you first get involved with producing provocative digital narratives?

KS: I saw what other people were doing and it inspired me. I saw a lot of potential for the web medium because you could create sites as sophisticated and slick as corporate media giants if you took the time to learn HTML with it costing little to do so (well somewhat). It is also easier to distribute work on the web as well. Of course, you have to constantly keep up with stuff which is exhausting.

SE: What is your stance on online museums? Do you feel that all artists must produce artwork as a service?

KS: No, of course not. I personally want to keep my work available to view and experience for free. Of course it helps when cultural institutions sponsor you to create a work. I still have to earn a living you know.

SE: Where do you think digital narratives will go in the future?

KS: Who knows I just hope I can keep up with it!

http://www.kimstringfellow.com