Death Imitates Language
- Artist/s
- Harm van den Dorpel
- Title
- Death Imitates Language
- Copy Number
- 031
- Medium / Material / Technic
- website, two prints (unique edition)
- Dimensions / Duration
- 100 × 100 cm, 70 x 70 cm
»Death Imitates Language« is a series of works exploring the development of meaning in generative aesthetics using micro feedback and a genetic algorithm. It consists of a website and a series of printed and boxed collage works.
The public website contains an enormous collection, »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«. This feedback – combined with visitor statistics and simulated aging – causes the genetic program to mutate and (arguably) improve over time.
When creatures reach an optimal state they are »frozen« and translated into physical objects. These objects are layered in construction, partly transparent, and square.