At a recent meeting of SICTDG I listened to, discussed about and watched a new project called CANVAS - presented by Derek Robertson.
Simply put it's a 3D world based on Second Life which allows pupils to display and discuss art work.
At first I wasn't overly impressed, but as I listened to Derek I realised it was a work in progress. I started to note ideas that I thought would make it even more interesting. Here they are (in no particular order)...
1. The Art Schools of Scotland should have presences in CANVAS. This could be display spaces and avatars, possibly for recruitment and promotion. They might wish to provide guest tutors to provide feedback to pupils.
2. Interaction should result in a changed environment or added features. Perhaps a rating system to allow pupils to accrue credit. Perhaps like ebay where sellers and buyers can comment and rate the transactions.
3. Tagging would allow participants a method to search on paintings. One gallery could allow users to generate the selection of artwork based on a search.
4. Allow pupils to add hotspots to paintings, similar to flickr.
5. Transform the 2D paintings into 3D artifacts in CANVAS. Allow the artist to select zones in their painting and then assign perspective and focal points to transform the image into a 3D image.
6. A photo shop that allows users to transfer paintings back to real objects. Similar idea to Photobox. Putting paintings onto t-shirts, mugs, etc.
7. Allow pupils to record audio commentary of their own work and then synchronize the audio with the avatar in a similar style to Vokis.
8. Allow Wii interaction to control avatars.
9. Transform 2D artwork into landscape art like Tony Hart did in Vision On, so it can be viewed from above.
10. Allow 3D art (sculpture, ceramics, etc) to be included in the gallery.
11. An Easter Egg game component perhaps based on the film To Catch a Thief. ;-)
As you can see I did end up being excited by the concept of CANVAS. If you have any additional ideas you can post them as a comment.
