Artnode– The Multidimensional Space of Art By Sanne Kofod Olsen, April 1999 Translation by Tim Harris Artnode.dk is a digital "Exhibition Area" for today’s artist. A platform for the presentation of art projects, digital exhibitions and the promotion of art. Artnode was established in 1995 and is today run by the artists Kim Borreby, Niels Bonde, Mogens Jacobsen, Martin Pingel, Nikolaj Recke and Morten Schjødt. Artnode is the first digital exhibition area in Denmark. In 1995 the use of the Internet was not so widespread, and so such an initiative was therefore noteworthy. Since then the number of users has increased many-fold and the provision of "art experiences" on the net has grown considerably. Artnode has however maintained its position as Denmark’s largest web site for art. Artnode’s establishing of a forum for art on the Internet was inspired by global web sites presenting graphical art. The concept was to establish an independent, digital exhibition area and associated periodical, which first and foremost focused on the new trends in Danish modern art. The Danish art could thereby be promoted both locally and globally. Artnode has, since the beginning, been characterised by a structural openness, which doesn’t inhibit new initiatives. Communication and interaction are pivotal points, which create a fertile and versatile environment for the development and experience of art. The development of art is an essential aspect in Artnode’s work. The goal is not just to present itself to the Art World or specific artists, but to reach a wider public. In the beginning in 1995, Artnode’s status was comparable to an artist-driven digital underground gallery. In which they gave themselves and other artists the opportunity to show art projects on the Net. Artists were invited to create individual presentations and digital group exhibitions were arranged. In order to create an open dialog with the performers and promoters of the Art World, artists and writers were encouraged to contribute with artwork articles and projects. This lead to a number of projects stemming from the Danish art scene which, over the years has developed into a professionally run site for art and art promotion. With improved possibilities for digital picture and sound manipulation, it is possible today to see art videos and hear sound-works via the Net. A general technical improvement in computers has also meant that a more direct form of work with digital pictures, or so-called computer art, has become easier and more common place. One of the newest exhibition projects, "Looped" is a presentation of digital works of young Danish artists specially produced for the Internet. The word "Looped" refers to a picture’s, or a sequence of picture’s, eternal repetition, which has earlier mostly been seen in art videos, but today is applied to the manipulation of digital graphics resulting in a more complex graphic form. "Sonik" is another exhibition project, which utilises the possibilities of the advanced technology. Sound-works by young Danish artists are represented here. Artnode is host to a number of guest projects and publications. In December 1998 artnode.dk, in co-operation with the art group Otto, created an art Christmas calendar, in which each day contained a new calendar art work which could be opened from Artnode’s home page. Artnode has also been responsible for the publication of the artwork and periodical "Plumvelvet", edited by artist Maria Finn, which focuses on the fusing of art and fashion. Artnode has also acted as publisher in connection with the release of "Inserts". "Inserts" is a Net-debate book, which displays the works of 69 female artists in Denmark together with text, which focuses on feminist questions in connection to art. Artnode’s activities on the Net have also lead to projects outside of it. In 1996 Artnode was invited to make a video program in connection with "Smart Show", an annual art event in Stockholm. The program, entitled "Several Subjects", was a collection of art videos and was a broad presentation of Danish produced art videos. In the close to 5 years Artnode has been in existence, its field of activities has developed from the being an "alternative" to an established forum. The technological progress and spread of the Internet which has occurred in this short period has meant that today there are many more artists which produce work directly for the Internet, and many more users who seek art experiences on the Net. There are today approximately 150 Danish artists represented by artnode.dk, who yearly receive more then 650,000 visitors to their Web sites. Artnode has in the course of its existence has gone through a developmental period which bears witness to a growing adoption of the digital media amongst young artists. A confidence and desire to work with digital art, which to a high degree is effected by Artnode’s presence and openness to external initiatives. With the spread of the Internet, art has found a new platform of promotion and display. A digital space where the artist can be presented to a very wide public without the usual institutional limitations. To show art on the Net is a hybrid exhibition form, which appeals to another way of presenting and experiencing art than the one known from the gallery, art book or periodical. It is a form of presentation, which changes and breaks with the concept of the artwork, in that it stripped of its quality of being unique or original. When a digital picture is shown on the computer screen it is not just a reproduction of the artwork, it is also art in itself. In a digital age one must re-think the artwork and adjust it to the modern hi-technological media, which give new "space" for a new type of art. Sanne Kofod Olsen is an art historian, writer and curator.