While the debate about corporate business on the Internet reaches a feverish pitch, artists are quietly setting up shop in Cyberspace. Conceived by Jeannie Novak, an independent musician and UCLA communications graduate, Kaleidospace began as an alternative means of distribution for her new album Reign of Fire. She designed and programmed Kaleidospace between January and March 1994, then partnered with genetic engineer Peter Markiewicz to promote the new virtual galleries. Now, eight months later, Kaleidospace features the works of more than 50 artists from around the world, and is growing rapidly. The site is divided into a number of different areas including visual arts, music, comics and the written word.
Users can access video clips, comics, stories, pictures and an assortment of other work.
In addition, Kaleidospace has developed extensive links with other sites on the Internet that promote the arts. The result is an extensive network of indigenous artwork from around the world. Response to the online buying has been mixed. Novak says that, although many people are interested in principle, they generally prefer to place their orders by snail-mail.