Future Heritage
In the process of establishing electronic networks, artists were among the first to enter the electronic domain, to experiment with and to use information and communication technologies for cultural purposes. They are in a position to explore the potential of man machine interfaces and communication systems without being reduced to an engineering viewpoint only or having their perspectives and ideas mutilated by short term profit interests. Vital, rich and diverse digital electronic cultures help to understand the complexity of life and cultural identities. Today's digital artistic practice is tomorrow's cultural heritage, and without a large-scale increase of awareness the digital future heritage will be lost. While museums start to digitize their collections and past times? cultural testimonies, little or no effort is undertaken to provide space for today?s artistic practice and to establish framework of a vibrant digital cultural for future generations. "Without establishing artistic practice in the electronic domain, humankind risks the disappearance of future heritage in a black hole of oblivion".
The rise of powerful media oligopolies, resulting in increasing uniformity and commerciality of content, information warfare and the neglect of the public domain in electronic networks threatens a broad cultural participation, artistic experimentation and production. Securing the future heritage requires appropriate legal, technical, scientific and financial measures. Close cooperation and collaboration between technology developers, artists and scientists can provide the test bed necessary for a rich and diverse electronic culture. This must include the enhancement of non-commercial, public electronic networks and cultural backbones as well as physical spaces for electronic communication culture.