The Google Art Project

The art world was abuzz a few weeks ago about the launch of Google's Art Project. The idea, that is creating a "street view" type tour of numerous museums across the world, is a great opportunity to extend the access of museum's collections to users around the world. Just as the idea of the Google Book Project is a great way to provide access to out-of-print and orphan works. But, as a student and new professional in the library world, I know how controversial the Google Books settlement has been in my community (perhaps a blog post about this is in order?). Is this Google Art Project just as controversial? What elements of access, control, and copyright arise when Google digitizes images of artworks they that do not bare the rights to? What effects are there to the use and membership to museums? This effect probably won't be felt immediately, but will it make a difference?

First, the positives! As a result of the Google Art Project, there is a tremendous increase in access and accessibility to works of art from all over the world. Now, I can simply view Vincent van Gogh's The Bedroom from my laptop computer, smart phone, or iPad, never once having to leave my local library or familiar coffee shop. Now, I have mostly always been able to view The Bedroom whenever I wanted thanks, again to Google Image search. But instead, with the Google Art Project I am able to view The Bedroom with exceptional resolution and zoom-ability. I can view the layers of paint on the canvas with more intensity that I would probably be able to do in person in Amsterdam. This amazing ability, coupled with being able to create your own virtual "museum" of art, are great advantages to the Google Art Project.

Vincent van Gogh, The Bedroom, 1888, Oil on Canvas, 1888, 72 x 90 cm. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

But, as a librarian, I see some potential problems that arise as a result of the Google Art Project. Libraries (universities and public) and museums already have a difficult time convincing their patrons to come into/ their building. With the advent of the internet and Smart Searches, quite a bit of information can be retrieved by the patron with no assistance from an information professional (me). Same for the museum, numerous images of brilliant art pieces can be viewed simply online, eliminating the need for a patron to travel outside their comforts.

I have argued, and will continue to do so, that while the virtual reference world has much to deliver, it will never be the absolute stand-in for the in person, real life world. I have much confidence in my search and research abilities, but I often need to help of a librarian to help me begin my research or help me when I get stuck. Same for the museum, nothing can replace the feeling and emotions one gets when viewing artwork in person. So much is gained not just from viewing the art, but also the design of the galleries, the position of the works in relation to each other, and the size of the pieces.

I feel as if it is important to note, that while I, nor you, pay any type of money to Google for their services (Art Project, search engine, free eBooks) but Google is a business, and a very successful and wealthy one. Their goal is to make a profit while at the same time providing the world access to information. Libraries and museums function on a much different business model.

Next week, I will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota attending my first professional conference, the VRA + ARLIS/NA Annual Conference. I will participating in a practicum on copyright information for the visual resource professional. I am sure that I will learn much more about the copyright/legal issues surrounding endeavors like the Google Art Project and will be sure to report back.