Web Watch explores art

by Eric Schwartzberg

COLUMN - WEB WATCH

Art is a large topic spanning thousands of years of human history. This week Web Watch grazes the tip of the artistic iceberg in an attempt to provide a little something for everyone.

For an "almost daily" lesson on architecture, design and art, bookmark the always interesting A Momentary Vignette (http://www.loggia.com/vignette). While there's more architecture than anything else, and the site could use a little more work on living up to its "almost daily" promise, the archives, bookstore and e-postcard sections more than make up for it.

Of course, if you feel architecture rises far and above any other form of art, then visit Great Buildings (http://www.greatbuildings.com). That site allows Web surfers to view 3-D models of famous structures (Shakespeare's Globe Theater, for example) and meander through separate sections dedicated to architects, architectural types, places and books. In the same vein, Glass Steel & Stone (http://glasssteelandstone.home.att.net) showcases architecture worldwide and an innovative array of odd, haunted and extraordinary edifices.

Instead of art captured by a camera, American Photography: A Century of Images (http://www.pbs.org/ktca/americanphotography/) dedicates itself to art created with• a camera. The site includes an enthralling Image Lab, as well as sections such as Digital Truth, Persuasion, Art, Social Change and Cultural Identity.

Art History Resources on The Web (http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHLinks.html) is the site to check out. The breathtaking scope of the site's content gives ample support to the fact that every generation and civilization has immersed itself into art in one form or another.

Stroll through a virtual gallery in one of the innumerable categories of Mark Harden's Artchive (http://artchive.com). For those more familiar with the art world, a vast selection of art links, CD-ROM and articles on art theory and criticism make for suitable reading.

Perusing so-called "serious" art might foster the urge to deviate from the norm. Fear not! Animation World Network (http://www.awn.com) comes to the rescue. Avid artists should check out the Toon Institute section and learn "Classical Animation and Cartoon Character Development" from a former Disney animator.

While the grown-ups eagerly are following their favorite cartoon character's antics, kids may let their mouse and imaginations roam free at the National Gallery of Art (http://www.nga.gov/kids). Filled with activities and projects that both explain and explore, this site makes art understandable and enjoyable for youngsters.

And if the art world's labyrinthine lexicon gets you down, then check out Artlex (http://www.artlex.com). It's a full-fledged visual arts dictionary with 3,300 terms, "thousands of images, pronunciation notes, great quotations and links to other Web resources."

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but it sure helps when you have something with which to decipher it.