ICSPACE — An Internet Cultural Space

Abstract

This work describes the structure and the functionality of ICSPACE - an Internet Cultural Space. ICSpace provides for the artist community the possibility to build an open and dynamic environment in the Internet. In our approach, the computer is used as a knowledge supplier expanding the human artistic expression. ICSPACE structures the exhibition of the artist’s works in thematic rooms implemented with VRML. The thematic rooms are seen as independent and correlated cells. The association of a set of rooms provides a complex formation that defines the own cultural center. The cells are based on a spatial metaphor. The idea is to allow that authors to choose the best position to expose theirs works in ICSpace “virtual reality environment”. ICSPACE implementation requires the integration of technologies like human computer interaction, cooperative work, virtual reality, hypermedia systems and dynamic art. The main goal of the ICSPACE is to provide a space to promote cultural exchange through the Internet, removing barriers between people and artists.