Some would argue that our ability to initiate and maintain relationships within traditional, three dimensional spaces is fading. There seems to be a tendency to judge human interaction as intermediated through technology as reclusive, passive social activity, sometimes dismissing internet interactions and relationships as entities that somehow aren't as important or valid as those maintained in "real life" or physical space. The concept of space as a determining factor in defining and valuing a relationship is of central importance to this project, especially as our perceptions of reality become increasingly blurred through virtual domains, ergonomic technologies, and user interfaces that make use real life processes to make our experiences with technology seem more like extensions of real life rather than departures.
The allure of meeting people through the internet and indeed negotiating and maintaining relationships is quite strong, but what is the nature of this attraction, and could elements that distinguish social interaction on the internet be factored from the digital domain by us, "the artists", in order to engage people in physical, day to day social arenas in a more attractive way?
Exploiting elements of internet based interaction such as written communication, anonymity, data collection, surveillance, voyeurism and exhibitionism, RealSpace uses the website MySpace.com as a template for creating an analog emulation of the popular networking tool in a fixed location at the University of Regina.
Using pen and paper, we shall emulate MySpace.com in the most physical ways possible, to lure physical people into physical spaces, in order to ensure that "real" interaction continues to occur on our fair planet.
