Algorithmic Aesthetics – IMAC 1

YEAR 2018-2019 : 16h hours studio based class

(Re)Coding Frieder Nake

Homage to Paul Klee by Frieder Nake (detail)

The aim of this studio is to take interest into the art work of pioneer computer artist Frieder Nake. You will research on internet and choose one of his artworks - an individual or a class of images. If several, the chosen images should show clear common caracteristics and hypotheticly be generated by a single programm. From this point on the project you'll have to do is three fold.

1. After a thorough visual analyse of the artwork, and in the form of a pseudo-algorithm you will write down what you think the program might be.

2. Then write a program that intends to come close to the program that Frieder Nake may have conceived. You will generate new images and by refining your algorithms you will focus on getting images that can be similar to the "original" you chosed before. These images can also bear differences, offsets, evolutions. In that case, the generated images should be thought of as belonging to a same class.

3. In parallel to an experiment with XY Pen Plotter, you will extend your ptoject by either developping an interactive approach (e.g. mouse, keyboard, parameters and configuration inputs, ...) ; writting a second program with another algorithmic method (e.g. Markov chain, Frequencies of distribution depending on position, other...) ; variying and classifying new sets of images in great quantity (30 outputs min) ; anylising the data from the chosen work (by any algorithmic mean). Choose at least one of these 4 possible developements.

Constraints for Pen Plotting :

• You must programm line drawings only
• You must reduce colors to one or two maximum

What you must deliver (11/01/2019)

• An A4 pdf document, 4 to 8 pages (5Mo maxi), including : Your names; Title, author, year and technical specifications of selected artwork; A text resuming your statement and your methods; The pseudo algorithm; Documentation; Scan of your Pen Plotter experiment ; Various thumbnails of your images; Screenshots in the case of an interactive interface.
• A pdf file in A4, 10 pages landscape (5Mo maxi), containing various outputs of your program (vector drawings, no pixels!).
• A zip containing your Processing file.

Send this three files at the adress gaetan.derobillard@u-pem.fr ; and only this one.

Planning in 8 sessions of 2h

1. Presentation of theoritical background
2. Project launch
3. Analysis, pseudo code and first program
4. Programming and Plotting
5. Programming and plotting
6. Finishing and plotting
7. Discussion
8. Exhibition

References

Related content

A bit of history (and theory)
Think the Image, Don't Make It ! - article
The previous edition of this studio was dedicated to (De)(Re)code Véra Molnar.
Other things, plen plotting, ...

Plateforms

processing.org
dada.compart-bremen.de
The Recode Project

Markov Chain

Markov Chain in Python
Markovify librairy