Stepping stones in the mist
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Reference
Paul Brown: Stepping stones in the mist. In: Bentley, Peter J.; Corne, David W.: Creative Evolutionary Systems. Academic Press, 2001. 387 - 407
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-155860673-9/50054-9
Abstract
This chapter provides an idiosyncratic and nonrigorous account of the author's work as an artist who has been involved in the field now known as artificial life for over 30 years. The title is a metaphor for the author's view as an artist, and individual. A long time ago the author stepped off the bank of a misty river or lake and onto a line of stepping stones. Now, many years later, the stepping stones are shrouded in the mist. Those behind him are dimmed by the mists of memory, and those in front are hidden by the mists of uncertainty. The one in front of him is quite clear, but then they quickly fade as they progress. The author has no idea what lies on the further bank, or indeed if such a shore even exists! Memories of the bank he left are now long eroded. The author only really knows where he is at this moment or, perhaps, where he has just been.
This essay is a idiosyncratic and non-rigorous account of my work as an artist who has been involved in the field now known as Artificial Life for over 30 years. To give the reader some context I begin with a few opinions that define my position within the visual arts (which is far from the current mainstream) and then go on to describe early influences from the 1960’s and 70’s that have framed my involvement in the field of computational arts. This includes some examples of my work from this period. The latter part of the essay describes my working methodology and includes examples of my more recent work and ends with a some speculations about where I may go in the future.
The title is a metaphor for my self view as an artist, and individual. A long time ago I stepped off the bank of a misty river or lake and onto a line of stepping stones. Now, many years later, the stepping stones are shrouded in the mist. Those behind me are dimmed by the mists of memory and those in front are hidden by the mists of uncertainty. The one in front of me is quite clear (as is the one behind) but then they quickly fade as they progress. I have no idea what lies on the further bank, or indeed if such a shore even exists! Memories of the bank I left are now long eroded.
I only really know where I am at this moment or, perhaps, where I have just been.
Extended Abstract
Bibtex
@incollection{Brown2002387,
title = "Chapter 15 - Stepping Stones in the Mist ",
editor = "Corne, Peter J BentleyDavid W. ",
booktitle = "Creative Evolutionary Systems ",
publisher = "Morgan Kaufmann",
edition = "",
address = "San Francisco",
year = "2002",
pages = "387 - 407",
series = "The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Artificial Intelligence",
isbn = "978-1-55860-673-9",
doi = "http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-155860673-9/50054-9",
url = "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781558606739500549 http://de.evo-art.org/index.php?title=Stepping_stones_in_the_mist ",
author = "Paul Brown"
}
Used References
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EHR68 Ehrenzweig, A, “The hidden order of art : a study in the psychology of artistic imagination”, Weidenfeld, 1967.
FIR99 First Iteration Conference, http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~iterate/
GAR70 Gardner, M, “Mathematical Recreations”, Scientific American 223(4), October, 1970, pp 120-123
KAY84 Kay, Alan, “Computer Software”, Scientific American, September 1984 V 251 #3 pp 41-47.
LAN78 Lansdown, John, “Only God can make a tree” in “Not only computing - also art”, Computer Bulletin, British Computer Society, September 1978.
LEI66 Leibniz, GW, "De Arte Combinatoria", 1666
MAN77 Mandelbrot, BB, “Fractals : Form, Chance and Dimension”, Freeman, 1977
POU87 Poundstone, W, “The recursive universe: cosmic complexity and the limits of scientific knowledge”, O.U.P. 1987
REI69 Reichardt,J Institute of Contemporary Arts, “Cybernetic serendipity : the computer and the arts : Special issue of : Studio International”, Studio International 1969
SPE69 Spencer-Brown, G, “Laws of Form”, George Allen and Unwin, 1969.
WIL23 Wilhelm, R (Ed., Trans. German), Baynes, CF (Trans. English), The I ching, or, Book of changes / The Richard Wilhelm translation (1923) rendered into English by Cary F. Baynes, Princeton University Press, 3rd ed 1967.
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