free online art gallery, OTIS
Ed Stastny - OED
ON-LINE ART GALLERY AND EXPERIMENTER
PO BX 241113/Omaha,NE 68124-5113 USA
email: e...@sunsite.unc.edu
http://sunsite.unc.edu/otis/otis.html
ftp sunsite.unc.edu /pub/multimedia/pictures/OTIS
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OTIS began in January 1993 as an image-gallery for the Internet, a
publicly accessible place for artists to store and exhibit digital
copies of their images along with information about themselves and their
projects. This continues to be OTIS' primary mission.
OTIS is a gallery, an exhibition space, a database, a browseable
sketchbook of the world's artists, artists of all disciplines and
cultures. OTIS is non-profit, no money is involved in viewing or
exhibiting images on the gallery.
Beyond mere storage/exhibition of images, OTIS seeks to involve artists
with one-another via collaboration projects (called SYNERGY), email-
based discussion lists and hardcopy corporeal exhibits.
The SYNERGY collaboration projects have drawn a lot of attention for
their unconventional merging of multiple artists' works and use of the
Internet in their planning and execution. Ranging from exquisite
corpses on display at Chicago's Kopi Cafe (SYNERGY:CORPSE) to computer
generated Tarot cards (SYNERGY:ARCANA) to cross-pollenated evolution
graphics (SYNERGYs REVOLT and CROSSWIRE) to live image exchange and
mutilation (SYNERGY:PANIC), OTIS' collaborative projects have involved
hundreds of artists and have sparked sometimes heated debates about the
purpose, state and future of electronic "art". SYNERGYs, especially the
on-going SYNERGY:PANIC, have dominated so much that sometimes they are
mistaken for OTIS' sole reason for being. While SYNERGY is undeniably
interwoven with OTIS, it's far from a synonymous relationship.
SYNERGY:PANIC, the most discussed active SYNERGY by far, is an on-going
weekly gathering of artists on-line meeting to collaborate, speculate,
manipulate and generate. The first PANIC took place in January of 1994
in cooperation with an event called smartBOMB1.0. A two-night dance and
technology event, smartBOMB1.0 was held at a nightclub in Minneapolis,
MN. From the nighclub, live still images were sent to a holding area in
the OTIS computer archives. On-line, dozens of artists who'd been
waiting for this event for weeks, snagged the images to their home
computers and began to manipulate and merge them into works of art and
circumstance... all the while communicating via written-word over
another Internet chat service called IRC. The weekend's festivities,
despite numerous hardware failures, produced hundreds of dynamic digital
images and, most importantly, a desire for MORE. The following week,
and every week since, OTISts have gathered on IRC to talk, exchange
images and devise new modes of collaboration. Also, following
smartBOMB's lead, other music and technology events have jumped in to
integrate PANIC into their presentations, joining to contribute live
image fodder and display the corruptive and disruptive artistic results
on their digital walls. ROBOFest and BUZZFest, thanks to dedicated
Texan OTISts, both came off beautifully and this April's CYBERFEST.594,
thanks to the efforts of Chicagoland OTISts, looks to be a grand and
marked evolution of the idea. Cooperation, technology and creativity
colliding and mating into a gargantuan angelic beast. Or something like
that. Never since Reeses has there been such a tasty combo!
New SYNERGY Projects are emerging all the time. Contact us for the
current SYNERGY schedule. Future projects include: SYNERGY:SYNTAX, a
word's worth a thousand pictures; SYNERGY:CORPSE2, the chance meeting of
a larva and a cadaver on a turntable; SYNERGY:POW!, collaborative comic
strips; SYNERGY:MANDALA, hypnotic patterns; SYNERGY:GRID, complex
geometry connected; SYNERGY:CUBE, 2d to 3d and back again...
OTIS was founded on the idea of "digital immortality". OTIS seeks to
make today's art available to future generations. Utilizing the pure
information binary storage of images and the subsequent ease of
replication and distribution, the plan is to so widely disseminate the
gallery as to insure it's perpetual existance, immortality. The very
growing vastness of Internet should, itself, guarantee that anything
stored on OTIS for any length of time will make its way to thousands of
computer screens and onto thousands of digital storage devices. Images
can then never be destroyed, and hopefully the structure of OTIS will
provide an easy and congenial method of browsing and appreciating the
art of today's artists for the children-at-heart of 2113.
OTIS invites artists of all types to exhibit their work on-line. All
work must be original, though media-collage and other forms of creative
appropriation are accepted and/or the artist must have full knowledge
that their work will be displayed on OTIS and available to the world via
high-quality computer image-files. All styles and media are accepted:
photography, illustration, painting, sculpture, fashion, digital, video,
anything else that can be somehow digitized into a binary file and
displayed on a computer screen. There is no charge for exhibition, there
is no charge to view or copy images.
To subscribe to the OTIS Mailing List, send a message to otis-r...@art.net
with the subject "Por Favor" and the body "Mandibula!". To send a message
to the list proper, the address is ot...@art.net.
===========TOURING THE GALLERY===========
There are several ways of browsing the information and images stored on
OTIS, most require Internet access.
INTERNET METHODS:
......
GOOD OLD FTP
......
FTP is the basic file-transfer method on Internet and is the basis for
OTIS' distribution. There are two FTP sites with access to OTIS images.
The Primary Site:
sunsite.unc.edu
/pub/multimedia/pictures/OTIS
The Secondary Site:
aql.gatech.edu
/pub/OTIS
All directories have INDEX files to guide you. To read an INDEX file
while in FTP, you should be able to type "get INDEX|more".
......
WWW, WORLD WIDE WEB
......
By far, the preferred method of OTIS browsing, WWW offers point-and-
click friendliness with hyper-referencing and pop-up colorful graphic
displays. WWW is accessible with a high-speed link to the Internet and
a program called MOSAIC.
OTIS Home Page
http://sunsite.unc.edu/otis/otis.html
alternate: http://aql.gatech.edu/otis/otis.html
Using a program called LYNX and VT100 emulation, you can browse the text
of WWW pages. LYNX is the second best thing to having a full graphical
WWW link. If you don't have access on your Internet machine, you can
TELNET to sunsite.unc.edu and login as "lynx" for a public-access
version. The "G" option will allow you to link to a WWW page of your
choice (for OTIS, you'd type: http://sunsite.unc.edu/otis/otis.html).
......
GOPHER
......
GOPHER is a textual browsing format that uses point-and-click-style
info-surfing techniques, but is built for use with keyboard and text
display, much like the abovely mentioned LYNX WWW browser. GOPHER could
be called an early version of WWW.
You can access OTIS via Gopher from the following sites, just follow the
menus:
sunsite.unc.edu (Worlds Of Sunsite, Browse All, Multimedia, Pictures, OTIS)
gopher.well.sf.ca.us (art, OTIS)
GOPHERing to OTIS will only readily gain you access to the text
information stored there (Artist bios, image information, directory
indexes), but downloading and file transfer is available on some GOPHER
clients. Check with your system administrator for more information
about GOPHER.
......
EMAIL
......
There are email-accessible FTP servers. Send email to
e...@sunsite.unc.edu for information about this mode of FTP.
NON-INTERNET METHODS:
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DIAL-UP BBS
......
Pair O Dice BBS in Texas offers a large number of OTIS images for
download. Pair O Dice can be reached at:
512.451.7117
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MAIL
......
Perhaps the slowest way of obtaining OTIS images is through regular
mail. If you have email, send a message to e...@sunsite.unc.edu for a
current list of OTIS files. If you don't have access to email, you'll
have to send a SASE for the current catalog of OTIS images. If you'd
prefer to forgo this step, we'll gladly send you an arbitrary grab-bag
of images for your perusing pleasure.
You can either send $2 per disk (to cover disk cost and postage) or send
disks and return postage. We'll fill the disks to your specifications
as accurately as possible and send them right back to you. Specify Mac,
DOS or Amiga for your disk format.
===========SUBMITTING IMAGES===========
Images are accepted in JPEG and GIF form, animations in MPEG, QuickTime,
FLI and self-executing form. There are several methods of submitting
images for exhibition.
You'll need to fill out a short simple form for each
image you submit. Forms appear at the end of this
section. If you're a first-time submittor or would
like to update your information, an Artist-Info form
is also included.
......
MAIL
......
For those without the facilities to digitise images or video, there is
hope. You can send your pictures or photocopies to us and we'll
digitise them for you, please include a SASE if you wish your photos,
photocopies or video-tapes returned and include one 3.5" floppy disk for
every two images with your SASE if you'd like your digitised images to
be returned to you with your materials. If possible, please only send
COPIES and not originals of your artwork. We'd both hate to see the
works damaged.
Display on the gallery is free and so is scanning/digitising images.
However, the latter does take a lot of time and access to expensive
equipment. Donations of $5-$10 (US Currency) or trade of interesting
goods (zines, comics, videos, toys, etc) are appreciated for big
digitisation jobs. You are encouraged to first look for your own method
of digitizing images, as the OTIS curators would rather spend time on
less menial tasks.
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FTP
......
You can FTP your image submissions to the following site and directory:
sunsite.unc.edu
/pub/multimedia/pictures/OTIS/Incoming
If possible, please ZIP, TAR or otherwise archive your submissions
together. This helps us keep them organised before we actually get to
merging them into the gallery.
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EMAIL
......
You can UUENCODE or BINHEX your images to e...@sunsite.unc.edu. Please
include a cover letter identifying the artist and name of images.
......
DISK
......
You can snail-mail DOS or MAC disks to us at the address listed above.
Include cover letter and a SASE if you want the disks returned. We'll
fill the disks with OTIS images on request.
===========INFO TO INCLUDE WITH SUBMISSIONS===========
Here are the forms for submitting images and personal info for display
on and retrieval from the OTIS on-line gallery.
Please send all forms to e...@sunsite.unc.edu.
........................................................................
ARTIST INFO
Please keep the lines starting with "--" in the completed form,
replace all other lines with your own information.
If you want to leave any lines in the "--VITALS" section blank, either
type "none" or "#" in them.
The "--BIO" section can be written in HTML format if you know how.
If you don't write it in HTML, please keep your lines at 80 characters
wide or less and put blank lines in between paragraphs. The "--BIO"
section can be as long as you like.
Unless you're using HTML, *do not* use the following characters in your
"--BIO section": '<', '>', or '&'.
Here's the form...("--VITALS" is the FIRST line, "--END" is the last)...
--VITALS
<long name> (ex: Joe Q. Otist)
<email> (ex: j...@otis.org, j...@nasa.gov, mau...@anon.serv.org)
<snail mail>(ex: Joe/PO BX 222/Otis, PR 68686/USA)
<dob> (ex: May 3, 1972)
--BIO
<fill with information about yourself... phone number, schooling, ambitions,
homepage, permission for use of your images...etc.>
--END
........................................................................
IMAGE INFO
You can submit multiple IMAGE INFO forms at once, merely designate
the filename before each form.
If you're uploading your IMAGE INFO files to OTIS via FTP, please
save them as "filename.ext.nfo". For example, the INFO file for
the file "blue.jpg" would be "blue.jpg.nfo".
Each line is separated by carriage-returns. Make sure this is the
case with your submitted forms. This generally won't present
a dilemma save on the "Image Description" line. Be sure that your
"Image Description" line (the last line in the INFO file) does NOT
contain any line-breaks. You might also want to include the file-
size and color-depth in your "Image Description" line.
If in doubt about your Artist-Name, email e...@sunsite.unc.edu. It's
usually your lastname, underscore, first initial. If you have a common
lastname, then you might want to include your middle initial (ie. Jones_BJ).
Image Types are listed at the end of this file. If your image fits into
more than one category, separate them by a comma (ie: photo,abstract,animal).
If you think a category needs to be added, email us.
Be sure your listed Image Types are in lower-case and separated only by
a comma (no spaces or other punctuation).
Image Description should be a short blurb about your image along with
any size, resolution or copyright info you'd like to include. Make sure
there are no carriage returns or line-breaks until the end of the description.
Here is the form. Replace all lines in the order you see here.
Artist_N is the first line, Image Description is the last.
........................................................................
Artist_N (replace with your artist-name, Ed Stastny = Stastny_E)
Image Title (replace with the title of your image)
Image Type (list of categories and media your image fits into)
Date (date image was created)
Image Description (description of image, try to keep under 320 chars)
Here is an example NFO file for the image "Blue.jpg" which is an abstract
painting by an artist named Lile Elam....
....beginning of example....
Elam_L
Blue
painting,abstract
June 1993
(56k) The pure experience of the colour blue. Painted in oils on a 22x11 canvas. Inspired by the sky over California.
....end of example....
Notice the last line runs across two lines. You are encouraged to keep your
image descriptions brief, but you can use a few lines.
........................................................................
MEDIA
-------
animation :moving images that aren't video
ansi :ANSI art
architecture :buildings and large constructed dwellings or shelters
ascii :ASCII text art (in .txt format)
automata :kinetic sculptures and automata
body-art :tattoos and scarifications
carving :a sculpture created with a sharp object
collab :multiple-artist creation
collage :cut-n-pasted juxtipositioning of images
doll :figurines and statuettes, static (dolls, stuffed animals)
drawing :pencil and pen drawings (and crayons)
etching :woodcuts, etc to make prints
execute :executeable (self viewable) program
fashion :worn decorations that ARE clothing
graphic :computer-based/aided imagery
installation :whole-room pieces or walk-throughs
jewelry :worn decorations that aren't clothing
math-art :images generated purely by mathematical equations
morph :animations created by morphing
painting :wet pigment on surface
performance :visual depictions of performed feats (dancing, miming, etc)
photo :photographic images
photo-manip :significantly altered photographs
publication :Layup and Desktop Publishing, PDF, PS, etc
puppet :figurines made to be animated (marionettes, puppets, etc)
quilt :sewn and patterned blankets
raytrace :raytracings (3d modelling and rendering)
sculpture :statues, solid forms molded or constructed
video :video grabs
weaving :woven materials
CONTENT
-------
abstract :non-representational image (non-objective)
animal :usually unclothed non-human setient life
comic :comic strip, character or panel
cover :zine, cd, tape or album cover
flora :plants and flowers
landscape :landscapes
nude :mostly or totally unclothed human
political :political commentary or content
portrait :image of person only...subject=person in pic
scripto-visual :images and words juxtaposed
techno :images of robots and cyborgs
......
PERMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT
......
Keep in mind that the artist retains ALL copyright to images they place
on OTIS. Unless iication or public display. If in doubt about an image's creator or
owner, contact e...@sunsite.unc.edu.
To emphasise: It is okay to copy an image to your own computer. It is
also okay to copy the image to friends, as long as you tell them where
you got it and who created the image. It's also okay to post OTIS
images to local dial-up BBSes, as long as you include information about
it's origins.
Of course, we don't have an omniscient security force out there to watch
for violations and punish perpetrators. We rely on trust and respect.
A word to artists: Mass media is a triple-edged sword. There's always
the chance that someone will steal your image and use it for their own
gain. OTIS has never encountered such a case, but it could happen.
Keep this in mind when submitting images for display. One precaution
you can take is to add your name to all images and to make your images
small enough (using DPI adjustments in your scan/paint software) so as
to make printing of the image impractical while keeping a practical on-
screen display size.
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