0.30402944246776265
Installation. 2013-2015
n number of computers, visualization plugin, automaton plugin (both plugins require Freenet)

Concept Description Installations Instructions Thesis Software Contact


Installation Description

The Installation titled 0.30402944246776265 was developed during 2013 
and 2015 as an artistic project extending theoretical research on 
self-organization in non-uniform computer networks. It unfolds as a set 
of computers showing an interaction of elements between each other.

The installation uses n number of computers (or nodes) and software that 
enables data exchange among them. The viewer of the installation is 
allowed to move around and interact with computers, thus becoming part 
of the overall ensemble. The computers are located next to each other so 
the viewer can compare the animated graphs visible on the monitors.

In order to emphasize the diversity of the surrounding elements, a wide 
range of older and newer computers are used for the installation. The 
variety of computers encourages the viewer to consider the technology in 
our environment. Why does the installation use outdated computers? How 
outdated are the computers? And why computers and not, for example, TV 
screens? The use of older computers, first of all, can suggest rapidly 
aging technology and technical evolution, which should further raise 
questions as to what is next and where is technology leading us. 
Secondly, when these decades-old computers are compared to up-to-date 
tablets and smart phones, one could think, well, technology has become 
much smaller, much more user-friendly, more streamlined and therefore 
less accessible in terms of computer architecture. It follows that the 
near future suggests even more direct, seamless interaction with 
computers, and humanity will possibly merge with computers or even 
become computers, as predicted by futurist Ray Kurzweil in his book The 
Singularity is Near (2005). Thirdly, one usually interacts with 
computers directly. Although interaction with the computers is not 
precluded in this installation, the configuration suggests that the 
computers do not require further human input and they are operating 
independently.

The virtual environment shown on the computer screens suggests that 
something is happening between the installed machines. The animated 
graph on each screen is a visualization of the activity within the 
computer network. The graphics show, in real time, neighbor nodes and 
data traffic between them. As the location of each node in the graph is 
marked by a distinct color, it is possible to trace which node is 
represented on the graph and how data chunks are sent between the nodes. 
The graphics are simple, animated geometric forms that, on one hand, 
might deliver a message of computation concepts emerging from simple 
rules and, on the other hand, might indicate emerging creativity via 
simplified interactions between the different elements. The simplified 
computer screen animation might also refer to early computer graphics or 
science fiction aesthetics, when such aesthetics were relatively 
sophisticated to the cultural eye and proposed that, in the near future, 
we would exist in an environment where computers were as intelligent as 
humans[1]. In this respect, the viewer of the installation might 
consider comparing such aesthetics to contemporary 3D graphics, or 
otherwise the spacial representation of physical things[2], and 
similarly to hardware aesthetics to try to shift him or herself back and 
forth in space-time.


[1] Consider, for example, the Spacewar computer game from early 60s or 
George Lucas' "THX 1138" or "Star Wars" from early 70s.
[2] Consider, for example, Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report" from the 
early 2000s.