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Stepping Stones in the Mist
by Paul
Brown
Artist and writer specialising in art &
technology
Visiting Professor, Centre for
Computational Neuroscience and Robotics,
University of Sussex
www.paul-brown.com
September 28, 2006, Lecture Hall, BPB
@
Goldsmiths, 18h -- 20h
Digital Studios @ Goldsmiths College
Abstract
This presentation is an 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 audience 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 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. The mists of memory dim those behind me and the
mists of uncertainty hide those in front. 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. Although this presentation is based on the chapter of the
same name that I
wrote for the book Creative Evolutionary Systems (edited by Peter J.
Bentley and David W. Corne, Morgan Kaufman, August 2001) it contains
additional and more current material.
Short Bio
Paul Brown is an artist and writer who has been specialising in art
&
technology for over 30 years. His computer generated artwork has been
exhibited internationally since 1967 and is currently on show in
Europe, Russia, the USA and Australia. He is currently (2005-08) a
visiting professor and artist-in-residence at the School of
Informatics, University of Sussex
where he is working on a CCNR project to evolve robots that can
exhibit
creative behaviour.
The Thursday Club is an open forum discussion group for anyone
interested in the theories and practices of cross-disciplinarity,
interactivity, technologies and philosophies of the
state-of-the-art in today’s (and tomorrow’s) cultural
landscape(s). Originally set up in October 2005 by Goldsmiths Digital
Studios (GDS) as a more informal setting for research
discussions, it has grown to include over 80 members, artists,
technologists, scientists, in fact, a growing diversity of people
from different communities worldwide, that are now connected via
an online forum and discussion group. There are also regular meetings
in ‘real space’ at the Ben Pimlott site of Goldsmiths, University
of London. Anyone can attend these events. They are free, and in
keeping them informal they allow for a more diverse and open
ended discourse for people who perhaps would not have the
opportunity to discuss ideas outside of their chosen discipline.
For more information on the Thursday Club check
http://www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/cccc/thursday-club.php
or email Maria X: drp01mc(at)gold(dot)ac(dot)uk
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Last update: Sept. 26, 2006.