NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

290 Scheman Building, Ames , Iowa 50011

http://www.museums.iastate.edu/

Date: 1/23/2007

Contact: Allison Sheridan, University Museums , (515) 294-3342

University Museums announces the launch of

the Digital Art on Campus Project!

Ames , IA – The Digital Art on Campus Project (DAOC) is a study of how the web-based media content can enhance the physical landscape and interpretation of public art.

Conventional signage is often inadequate to deliver the intentions, ideas, or research represented in the build environment. Additionally, there are places where significant signage is inappropriate, such as urban plazas or parks. In the context of a museum, signage is a main way in which information is communicated about the collection. Docents and guided tours are a common way for individuals or groups to learn more about and exhibition. However as our society becomes more and more technologically advanced, other methods of communicating object information, such as visual imagery and art interpretation, are becoming necessary.

Wireless Internet, or Wi-Fi, is becoming increasingly prevalent and more devices are able to take advantage of wireless technology to access the Internet. By creating content that can be viewed over the Internet, more information can be made accessible to the site user about the space.

The DAOC is a web-based tour of fifteen pieces of the Art on Campus Collection linked off of the University Museum website www.museums.iastate.edu. Since the project is web-based it can be viewed from laptops, and downloaded to iPods or other MP3 players in front of the artwork or from around the world.

The DAOC coincides with the opening of the Christian Petersen Art Museum on March 22, 2007 . The Christian Petersen Art Museum , located in the newly renovated Morrill Hall on central campus, will be home to the Christian Petersen Art Collection, the Art on Campus Program, the Visual Literacy and Learning Program, and contemporary changing exhibitions. For more information on the Christian Petersen Art Museum , please visit our website: www.museums.iastate.edu.

The DAOC was created by Iowa State University Honors student Grant L. Thompson with support from Allison Sheridan, collections manager and education specialist for University Museums; Molly Harris, narration; and Roy Abbot, music and composition.

For more information, call 515-294-3342

or visit our web site at www.museums.iastate.edu

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