The Infinite Canvas is a concept created to be presented within the virtually limitless confines of digitally represented spaces.  In any presentation there is some form of limitation.  Case in point, the Sistine Chapel only has so much ceiling space.  The ceiling for the Chapel contains many images laid out in sections (as does the rest of the building).  Consider the possibilities if the imagery stretched out in all direction for as far as the artist wanted to the image to go.  Not just excessive distance but consider if the ceiling itself changed based on how you wanted to view it.  Limitless possibilities for expression all visible from a single viewpoint.  It’s similar to setting up a maze of mirrors so that from a single glass you can view all angles and even other rooms without moving. 

This is all well and good but who wants to create a single page website with as much content as wikipedia?  The point is that you have the ability to create something easily navigated with multiple facets of presentation.  Take for example the presentation software Prezi.  It’s a massive whiteboard of data.  Instead of limiting all information to single slides restrained to linear processing you’re given a program able to create miniature slides within slides on a massive surface.  The entire process enables easy delivery of information and can make it much easier to carry a thought through.  An Infinite Canvas is, as Scott McCloud says, “A reader-centered philosophy.”

McCloud, Scott. “The “Infinite Canvas”.” N.p., Feb. 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2010.

Image is taken courtesy of a Creative Commons Share Alike policy from TTaylor on Wikimedia