Portrait of an Algorithm

Rohit Sharma | Personal Project| MA Illustration and Visual Media | London College of Communication

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Research Journal

The personification of a creative/super intelligent algorithm. A portrait of an algorithm, which can think, and be as creative and imaginative as humans. What would the algorithm look like? Will it have a face? How do we distinguish it from a person, will it have feelings or will it be just a faded vision in our minds? It is often said that for an algorithm to be as close to human in terms of capabilities, it has to have a form, a physical embodiment of the substance which will let it experience in the same way as we humans do. 

The interaction it(algorithm) will have with its surroundings will have a profound effect on what it will create. It projects a sense of the coming future while reflecting on the present. It takes account of our fears, doubts, and anticipation and reflects on it.

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Website Wireframes.

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#4

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Experiments #2

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Form exploration.

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Experiments

It is said that the computer cannot really think but what if they start thinking, develop imagination? They are restricted in many ways by the algorithm. The algorithm defines how a computer thinks, actually its an extension of what we think, and computer/algorithm is just a generative tool. These in someway is restrictive and by and large the computer is not aware of their capabilities. Likewise, we humans as we are aware of our capabilities (we think so) how can a restriction/algorithm define the visual style of the person and affect the process of image making?

A set of experiments done with my fellow mates and participants to see how these restrictions transforms itself in the form of visuals. The illustration were done using restrictions like: closing the eyes and drawing, using restrictive colour pallets, restricting the arm movement of the arm using prototype fabricated for the experiment.

In a way all of this is an unexpected way of looking precisely to what we don’t know, We know nothing about what might emerge.

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The prototype for the experiment.

Reduced movements and restrictions to generate responses by the participants. The above structure along with few others was used to generate visual responses to the questions posed by me.

The question here being: Draw a portrait.

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Collages created to try and visually imagine the project and inform my image making.

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What is my project about?

My project explores the language of Art  in terms of technological advancements and combines it with Science Fiction.  What I intend to do is to visualize what is about to come, things we might see and experience in the near future.

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I started my research by looking into instances of computer art and how computers or algorithms have been used to generate visuals. Art+ Computation was the area of study.

http://www.sdsc.edu/ScienceWomen/lovelace.html

But more than that, Lovelace was a visionary: she understood that numbers could be used to represent more than just quantities, and a machine that could manipulate numbers could be made to manipulate any data represented by numbers. She predicted that machines like the Analytical Engine could be used to compose music, produce graphics, and be useful to science. 

Ada Lovelace- Worlds first computer Programmer.

I also started implementing techniques which are usually used by programs to generate an image. The first computer program which employed a packed bit image and that drew interesting lines was called “MELLY”.

 “Within the Logical world of computers where numbers not shapes or volume defines geometric space, nature and the body as we know them, do not exist.”

Pamphilus (Macedonian Painter) was the first to propose that an individual needs to have a basic knowledge of arithmetic  and geometry to perfect their Art. He proposed basing Art instruction on scientific Principles.

 Harold Cohen and his painting robot called “Aaron” was also an interesting find in terms of research. Aaron is an artificially intelligent program which paints like an artist, makes decisions and creates pieces of  art which cross boundaries of what is referred to as computer art.

As Harold Cohen  states for his catalog: ‘I started by using the computer to provide explicitly structured formats for certain color games; and came to recognize only gradually, and perhaps even a little unwillingly, that I found the structural aspects altogether more absorbing than the color itself’.

 Frenc Philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard would observe that such acts of externalization were transforming the nature of knowledge altogether and predicted that any knowledge not translatable in this way would be abandoned: “The direction of new research will be dictated by the possibility of its eventual results being translatable into computer language.  

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Turning research into imagery

A workshop session where we experimented with found images to look deep into the subject of our personal project. Various tasks were handed over to us which informed our practice of image making. Abstraction of pictures and juxtaposition were used to create meaningful ideas which resonate with the project. We also explored materials and 3d forms using paper and cardboard.

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Research Question

An investigation into the process of image making using a derivative analog algorithm to generate responses.

 1.            An investigation into the process of image making using restrictions.

 2.           Reductive methods of image making

 3.            How computers outthink the creative boundaries

 4.            How a reductive analog algorithm increases creativity.

 5.            An investigation into the approach of illustration+ image making.

 6.           Create and Destroy

 7.            In Search of an approach.

How we as humans are looking for new ways to enhance creativity. It will also look into providing vision to computers and investigation into new Art forms, methods, and approaches.

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Reverse engineering task Peter Nencini: The Artist & Engineer

Title: How to visually represent the cyclical nature of urban erasure through a narrative?

Field of study: The field of study will include Construction, urban planning, and architecture. Things that will be included: rationale of construction/deconstruction. Genesis of prototyping, Relationship between space. The project will look into planned innovation, ambiguity, and association with the space around us.

Context: With the advent of the industrial age, we cruised towards a path of construction and engineering, new methods were discovered and innovation was in the forefront. we became aware of the surroundings and worked towards maximising our resources. construction played a major role in this age. the project explores the give and takes the relationship between the past and the present. it aims to preserve the past and look into the future. Few pointers which it would touch upon are:

How can a narrative assist in communicating through inanimate objects? 

How we see shapes in accordance with the ideas proposed? 

How can technology play a vital role in addressing situations which might arise?

What’s the role of lateral thinking and how is it beneficial?

Rationale: The environment around us is changing day by day, with the advent of new technologies and reduced space we are in constant need for innovation to maximise our output.

The need to have a perfect space which blends in with the ideologies to attain a perfect mix of the new and the old. A right mix of analytical and creative thinking.

Methodology: The methodology will consist of comparing two contrasting scenarios and then trying to create a visual narrative using some inanimate objects. A constant comparison will result in interesting results which can then be combined with the idea to make it accessible and derive a deeper meaning out of it.

Predicted Resolutions: The outcome will be a piece which will encompass every tiny bit of detail of the comparison of the contrasts.  A prototype will be developed to give it a more defined look. Use of shapes and geometry to define concepts and ideas will be predominant. Obscuring the objects to generate new meanings between the viewer and the audience. It will also try and propose an alternate solution to the problem.

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The definitive site on the Futurist art movement of the early 20th Century, featuring most of the original manifestos of the members, and an extensive list of related links.

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aythFWnRTLM)

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