Or-bits.com Curatorial Platform Bridges Online and Offline Art Through Site-Specific Web Exhibitions
In 2009, Marialaura Ghidini established or-bits.com, a curatorial platform aimed at providing specialized online exhibition spaces. Operating out of Newcastle, Ghidini's mission was to enhance the documentation of digital art. The platform has presented six online exhibitions, commissioning original pieces suited for web environments. Among its early showcases were Ed Atkins's Dun-Coloured Veil (Reel 10) and Thea Stallwood's Here and There, both from 2009. More recent works include Jamie George's investigation of a yellow bedsheet and Richard Healy's Leisure Rules from 2012. Additionally, the platform has hosted physical exhibitions at locations such as JT Gallery in London. Ghidini highlights the web browser as a curatorial tool and examines the influence of online behavior on artistic practices, citing neurologist Bruce Friedman's insights on attention spans.
Key facts
- Or-bits.com was founded in 2009 by curator Marialaura Ghidini
- The platform has staged six online exhibitions commissioning new web-specific work
- Artists include Ed Atkins, Thea Stallwood, Harun Morrison, Jamie George, and Richard Healy
- Exhibitions extend into physical spaces at JT Gallery and Quare project space in London
- Ghidini is based in Newcastle and created the platform after frustrations with digital documentation
- The platform intentionally works with artists not primarily identified as digital practitioners
- Works utilize web-specific features like horizontal scrolling, zoom functions, and pop-up windows
- Ghidini describes the web browser as an inherently curatorial medium for arranging media
Entities
Artists
- Marialaura Ghidini
- Ed Atkins
- Thea Stallwood
- Harun Morrison
- Jamie George
- Richard Healy
- Gil Leung
- Bruce Friedman
- Buckminster Fuller
Institutions
- or-bits.com
- JT Gallery
- Quare project space
- ArtReview
Locations
- Newcastle
- England
- United Kingdom
- London