A family of algorithmic pen plotted drawings, each presented with the binary text for a Universal Turing Machine (UTM), was created for an exhibition in Manchester on the occasion of the Ninth International Symposium on Electronic Art (1998). These drawings, reminiscent of medieval manuscript illuminations, celebrate Alan Turing’s work with universal problem solver procedures. They were created especially for the Manchester-Liverpool context as homage to Alan Turing in memory of his historic work in Manchester.
The artistic procedure employs a form-generation method which, by analogy to biological process, may be viewed as epigenetic. The software (code), created by the artist, behaves as genotype capable of generating a distinctive “family of forms” within any given set of parameters. The hyperspace of all possible forms, based on the specific parameter settings for this Manchester edition, is infinitely vast. This page pictures 5 specific examples from those created for this project.
Each member of the Manchester series includes a unique pen-drawn form materialized from the vast family of possible forms. The pen-drawn form for each member of the edition is pen plotted using multi-pen plotters driven with original algorithms. Every line for each work is a unique pen drawn stroke with no repeats. Each finished work, illuminated with an original “code generated” form is signed and identified with its Manchester serial number. Selection of materials, plotting procedures and the use of gold leaf conspire to achieve a valued object to be treasured.
Artist’s Notes written in preparation for a session at ISEA 98 in Manchester, UK.