What's a work from a distance?

Online digital interactive art works can be standalone or distributed digital applications, how are "viewers" supposed to encounter them? Traditional works have the feature that they are what they are, a sculpture from a distance is the sculpture. Perhaps architecture is closer to online art, the appearance may draw viewers but going inside a building may be a very different from looking at its exterior.

Anyway some simple ideas below demonstrate a range of problems and possibilities, for what is a "work" for the viewer prior to engaging with it.

1. A classic approach would be to offer, an icon and/or title for a work.
2. A less prescriptive approach would be to somehow extra a "preview" of the work (such as a thumbnail may be used).
3. A novel approach would be for a work to have simply a place ... nothing that defines it other than where it is in relationship to fixed features (i.e. on the south wall) and less fixed features (i.e. where everyone is standing by it). [Excuse the use of traditional gallery examples, but I think this helps avoid pitfalls of online traditions and helps with considering requirements.]

• Option 1) is a simple idea, it demands more of the artist, requiring that the icon and label be sufficient to interest or to draw viewers. It is very similar to sites that host art examples, though in those cases it is sometimes just project title that is used. Who should control the icon/label?

• Option 2) has the problem of how can a preview of an interactive work be provided, it most certainly cannot be automatically generated (in general). If a preview has to be provided it will share the same issues as option 1).

• Option 3) opens up interesting possibilities, it perhaps emphasises the importance of some of the values Liquid is interested in. In particular it mirrors some of the implicit trends with internet based works. For example, if a work appears to be of interest on blogs and new-groups, then it is on that basis that it is viewed – in fact in such cases the label and icon for the work is probably ignored as there is a community expression of interest that is more relevant. In this case name for the work becomes important, so that people can refer to it simply. What about something closer to the crowd in the gallery ... you can be drawn-in, experience the work, and never needing to know exactly what it is that you saw!