A Vision in Delft Blue

Dutch artist Hugo Kaagman adorns his site with an array of images and animations whose palette of Delft blue and white evoke his country's history. The shuttling between traditional symbols, such as windmills and animals, and radically contemporary ones, an Internet Explorer icon and a rollerskate, is matched by an old-fashioned, canvas-like interface that features clickable animations. Though the blue and white site is formally precious and appealing, many of its animations are rooted in a sense of irony about the cliches of historic official culture. Also, net art collectors will be happy to know that Kaagman's works are for sale. Details, in blue and white, on the site. -- Rachel Greene