Death Imitates Language

A genealogy exploring the emergence of meaning in generative aesthetics using micro feedback and a genetic algorithm. It consists of this website and a series of custom constructed wall pieces.

This website contains an enormous population of speculative works. Each of these works is generated by inheriting sequences of information — a sort of DNA — from its ancestors. These ‘genetic’ codes determine which elements appear in the work and in what form or constellation. The population changes over time by means of subjective ('natural') selection by the artist: micro feedback or 'likes' about which of the works can live on, which ones should die, and who can procreate. This feedback, combined with visitor statistics and simulated aging, causes the genetic program to mutate and (arguably) improve over time.

When creatures reach their optimal state they are 'frozen' and potentially translated into physical objects. These objects are layered in construction, partly transparent and square. Some can be hung and watched from the back side as well.

All pieces are unique, each 100 × 100 × 5 cm.

Harm van den Dorpel, 2016