|
|
|
 |
|
this
is ronline? |
|
|
by
Rupert Jaeger, 26th July 2004 |
|
|
|
more
about responding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
November, it will be two years that www.rentnercollective.com has
been online. To present online ‘something’ that isn’t sure
itself what it is and every time it thinks it is, keeps changing,
is not easy as such. To keep some sort of consistency in that enterprise
is even more difficult.
As the designer and architect of rentnercollective.com I have approached
the site and its upkeep based on two principle understandings:
Firstly, all along I have seen the site not just as a means to an
end. In other words, to me it is not simply an online presentation
of what rentner (collective) does in the ‘real’ world. I approach
it also as an artwork, which to some extent frees me from the task
of presenting what exactly rentner collective is. Instead it is one
of its many possible interpretations.
However, secondly, the site as an artwork had to be limited to the
appropriate aspects of the site, so that it can also operate as a
real, practical and useful tool for anyone linked to rentner collective.
The aspect that seems most adequate for that purpose is the site’s
structure. Keeping my artistic influence on the site limited to its
structure, allows for the content to be of any possible nature, and
therefore the structure provides the skeleton, around which the ever
changing ideas, concepts, artwork etc that constitute rentner collective
can be mold.
At this stage, the structure might be the most dominant aspect of
the site, yet with the growth of content, it will take on its real
purpose: to act as a navigation tool through the site for any end
user.
I am aware that there would be simpler ways of presenting online some
of the things we have done (like our exhibitions), yet I think the
site could and should be much more than a simple online representation
of our activities. It should in itself entail an activity. As an interactive
medium, this activity should obviously be of an ‘interactive’ nature.
As a communication tool for people within and with the collective,
it could help the artistic (and other) progression of rentner collective
as a whole as well as any individual working within that context.
I believe that up till now, the site has not even touched on its real
potential in this respect.
We are currently (once again) in a crucial stage for rentner collective
and thus for www.rentnercollective.com. Through some of the projects
undertaken within the last year, we could clarify many questions,
but as always posed as many. For the site the main question remains:
what is its role and purpose within rentner collective and how can
it fulfill it. The answer to this question has to grow from a discourse
between the people who use the site, by posing more questions, by
challenging what the site currently is (or wants to be), by proposing
ideas, etc. etc. And this discourse has to take place within the context
of the site and that is exactly what ronline is intended to be for.
Therefore, if you have any comments, suggestions, ideas, or indeed
anything that might seem relevant to the above, share it. Ideally
this should be in a form that can be published in the context of ronline,
but any response is helpful.
You can either use our comment button below and at the top, or if
you prefer, you can send an email. |
|
|
respond
to this item: |
 |
|
|
