The Art World and the World Wide Web

Introduction
Written for art world insiders, this book is meant to be a guide
to using the World Wide Web as an essential tool for doing
business in the global art market. With case studies, sample
websites, interviews, and essays, The Art World and the World Wide
Web identifies key strategies and offers insights for galleries
to consider as they create and manage their own websites. As
technology continues to evolve, opportunities seem boundless
for galleries to use the Web in compelling ways to promote their
art, and the artists who make it. But it cannot be overstated
that sound website design, both technical and graphical, is
critical to staying ahead of the technology curve.
Galleries rely on their websites on an everyday basis to
promote, educate, and communicate. Unfortunately, cumbersome
user interfaces, poor graphic design, and poor programming
hamper far too many websites. As the artist Laurie Simmons
observes, “I find myself shocked sometimes that certain entities
and individuals can endorse their own sites, given how difficult
they make it to get around.” See page 37 for our interview
with Simmons, where she talks about her website, what the
digital world means to her, and how she has utilized her site
to bring together projects she has worked on throughout her
life as an artist.
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