on the flipside, margins are a happy place

Okay, last week I commented on how I preferred websites with simple designs, minimal flash components, and content that is direct and straight to the point.  Well....this time I am taking a trip to the other side, marveling in how a website can be an amazing experience when all the elements and tools available in web development and design are used to their highest potential.  The moment I opened my browser to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, I didn't have to go anywhere, but just sit and watch images move in and out on the homepage.  Each flash section is choreographed to the tee, allowing a beautiful dance to happen between sections while presenting what the museum has to offer.  I found this amazing and a great feat in web design.  I think I was able to understand what the museum is all about without even pressing a button.  The only thing the homepage is missing is a soundtrack for its performance.  Moving beyond the homepage was made easy by the clearly marked tabs and easy lists of links.  I appreciate the fact that they have an upcoming link to see what may become part of the homepage dance in the future.  Mmmm, I am curious.

The threewalls website is another place where my curiosity got the best of me.  Initially, I appreciated their aesthetic, such as the use of wood as their primary background image, and the fact that you can dive right into the event images on the homepage.  This helped me visually learn what is happening at this museum/gallery without much effort.  Even though the website has a simpler design in comparison to the MCA, the wood panel on the left has all the necessary links to quench your curiosity while making navigation an easy endeavor.  Besides offering information about what you can expect when you visit the gallery, there are additional links, such as the threewalls blog, that points to some important discussions happening in Chicago made available to anyone.  Below I posted a video I found on their blog, which asks if there is such a thing as a Chicago artist (this was part of the Renaissance Society Panel that happened recently).  This is an ongoing discussion in our city and an interesting one.  Can Chicago become a commercial landmark in the arts?  And if so, what does that mean for our local artists?  I find the conversation about place very interesting, and the point made by threewalls' Chief Curator, Shannan Stratton, about how the flavor of the Chicago art community is largely made up of artists that work outside of the "system" and take risks that are not often part of the commercial art realm.  Since the vibrancy of the Chicago art scene is found in the margins, how will our artists and their work be effected by Chicago becoming a landmark in the arts like New York City or Los Angles?  Do we want Chicago to enter a comparable arena?  As of right now, I would like to see our vibrant, risky artists and backyard galleries to be preserved where the margins remain a happy place and unexpected ideas are welcome. What do you think?