Beyond the Code: Algorithmic Semiosis and the Construction of Meaning

Synopsis

The interactive generative project Algorithmic Semiosis is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of meaning, examining the idea that meaning does not exist in itself, but is created through human interpretation.

"It is precisely facts that do not exist, only interpretations." — Friedrich Nietzsche

The artwork's typographic chaos mirrors the contemporary human reality, where possibilities and potential meanings get lost in the streams of informational noise, making their autonomous discovery incredibly challenging. An algorithm assists the viewer in identifying units of meaning expressed in words by highlighting them with a hint frame; however, the interpretation of these units is entirely dependent on the viewer.

The set of words-meanings is not static and changes at specified time intervals. The interval of change is individual for each piece, as is the individual time required for each person to comprehend the manifested meanings: for some, it may be an instant, for others - a day or a week, and for still others, even eternity may not suffice.

Despite changing sets of words, the artwork remains deterministic; its distinctive features, such as composition, principles of typographic field formation, chosen color palette, and font selection, remain constant.

The Algorithmic Semiosis* series is the first blockchain collaboration between the artists @m5alien & @CartonCarroll, seamlessly blending one artist's conceptual and philosophical ideas with the directorial vision and the recognizable aesthetic of the other.

*Semiosis is the process of creating and interpreting meaning.

Meaning Search Methodology

• Open the edition, wait for the loading to complete, and for the first hint frame to appear;
• Reflect on the associations that arise in connection with the appeared word;
• Invoke the next frame by double-clicking on the canvas;
• Consider the images evoked by the combination of the previous and current words;
• Continue exploring (by double-clicking) and interpreting meanings.

Art's Historical Fabric

The artwork Algorithmic Semiosis references the craft collage style of Picasso and Braque, in which various textures, such as fragments of newspaper clippings and pieces of wrapping paper, are incorporated into the painted canvas. The digital painting in the project similarly retains these forms, but within a new space and medium, giving rise to a visual paradox and offering the viewer new ways of interpreting reality.

The newspaper column style, employed as the foundation of each canvas, underscores the theme of words and meanings, paying homage to Gutenberg and his invention, which revolutionarily impacted the speed of emergence and dissemination of new meanings.

The frame, as a tool for detecting hidden messages, is also an artistic continuation of the thematic exploration. It is stylized as a newspaper clipping with torn paper edges and characteristic text filling. However, upon closer inspection, instead of text, one can discern ASCII characters, serving as a reference to the postmodernist notion of the blurring boundaries between humans and machines, between reality and simulation.

Interactive Structure of Each Piece and Meaning Generation

Each artwork of the collection is a dynamic interactive piece, based on a code-generated abstract breathing lettering canvas with an encrypted set of words, serving as units of meaning.

The viewer's engagement with the artwork begins with the appearance of the first word within the frame. The viewer interprets it in the context of their subjective experience and shapes their own meaning. Double-clicks on the canvas activate a new frame, revealing new words and eliciting fresh associative images from the viewer.

The number of words in each output is not fixed and can vary from one to several. The interval for changing the set of words is individual for each artwork, ranging from a day to a month, and is specified in the piece's traits. Pressing the 't' key activates a countdown timer, indicating when a new set of words — and therefore, new meanings — will be available.

Despite changes in the linguistic structure of the artwork, the piece itself remains deterministic; the visual components and formative characteristics remain constant and unique to each work in the series.

Traits in Algorithmic Canvas Formation

Field Shape

A parameter determining the shape of the field filled with letter elements. There are 5 possible shape options:

• Tiles - one or several rows of mostly elongated rectangles, resembling sidewalk tiles.
• Stripes - vertical or horizontal alternation of stripes with different thicknesses.
• Blocks - a square field consisting of neatly arranged rectangles - blocks.
• Label - a cross-mark in the center of the field.
• Structure - a large polygon in the center combined with small rectangles around the perimeter.

Margin

This parameter sets the size of the margin from the field to the edge of the canvas. Possible values are Compact, Moderate, Generous, Spacious.

Size Mode

Modes of preference for selecting the sizes of elements.

• Contrast - the algorithm tries to place only large and only small elements on the field.
• Extra Large, Large, and Average - places elements from very large, large, and medium size, respectively, down to small size.
• Small - places only small-sized elements.

Direction

The parameter determines the rotation angle of each element.

• Aligned - all elements are aligned in one direction.
• Independent - each element has a random rotation angle.
• Sway - each element has a small random rotation angle.
• Perpendicular - rotation at an angle divisible by 90 degrees.
• Radial - all elements are rotated towards one point.
• Flow - smooth change in the rotation angle depending on the element's coordinates.

Decor

Sets the level of adding additional graphic elements to each letter. There are several types of decor:

• A rectangle with various lines, dots, or none.
• Frames around the letter.
• A circle or part of a circle in a block with a letter.
• A rectangular field with a wavy curve.

Decor Variants

Controls the number of types of decorative elements used in the artwork. Ranges from 1 to 4.

Infusion

Affects the level of field uniformity by increasing or decreasing the probability of selecting non-uniform elements. Options: Disabled & Enabled.

Edge

Specifies various modes for filling the field edges.

• Plain - edges are processed like the entire field.
• Thread - small-sized elements are placed along the edge.
• Framed - a small area with fixed-size elements and spacing is formed along the edge.

Fonts

A set of fonts used in the generation of the artwork.

Color Setup

This parameter determines how colors from the palette will be used in the design.

• Single mode - a single random color is selected from the palette.
• Multiple mode - several colors from the palette may be used.
• B&W Base mode - uses a black-and-white base with additional colors added.

Color Palette

Specifies one of the seven color palettes used in the artwork:

• Gold Kerning.
• Violet Paragraph.
• Romantic Glyph.
• Expressive Punctuation.
• Vintage Header.
• Vibrant Tabulation.
• Monochrome Typography.

Frame Color

Determines whether all colors from the palette or only one color can be used for framing.

Frame Mode

Controls which sides of the frame the elements that highlight the letters are drawn from.

Frame Thickness

Specifies the thickness of the frame. Possible options: Thin, Medium, Thick.

Words Length

Parameter controlling the maximum possible length of words. Modes:

• Short (up to 4 letters).
• Medium (up to 6 letters).
• Long (up to 8 letters).
• Unrestricted (no limit).

Update Interval

The number of days between word updates. The minimum value is 1 day, and the maximum is 30 days.

Algorithmic Semiosis Collection Controls

• Double-click on the canvas to hide or reveal hint frames.
• Press 't' to display/hide the countdown timer on the screen.
• Press 's' to save the PNG image of the current view.
• Press '2' to '7' to rerender the output in various resolutions from lower to higher.
• Click and drag the frame to move it.

© Collaborative generative art project by @CartonCarroll & @m5alien, January 03, 2024, made with p5.js.