Marie-Pascale Corcuff states that we, human beings, don't generally like to rely on chance. We like to control our life and thus, the use of randomness, seems to be an abdication of our power of decision.
The paper at hand is about the use of chance in generative processes. The author summarizes the key argument by stating that diversity may be obtained, without loosing identity.
Corcuff proves through a series of experiments that diversity in generative art processes can be obtained without loosing idetity. The meaning behind text can be somewhat hard to grasp at first sight. For example, the reader is expected to have previous knowledge about IFS (Iterated Function Systems). In mathematics IFS are a method of constructing fractals. Symbolically speaking:
The strengths and weaknesses of this paper relate to the same topic: experiments/examples. The author anticipates an audience familiar with mathematics. While the examples are sufficient (and it's always nice to have something explained to the reader in black and white), they may not be understood by all.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and illustrate the different meanings of chance relatively to probability, combinations, imprevisibility, coincidence, chaos, disorder, control, intentionality - e.g. explain the concept of generative art.
Structure wise the paper is fairly simple. Chance is discussed in relation to unpredictability, insignificance and diversity. Examples of formal research are presented as well.
Chance and unpredictability refer to a set of rules required to generate unique results (generative art). A saying by Philip Galanter is chosen to illustrate this concept: "Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist creates a process, such as a set of natural language rules, a computer program, a machine or other procedural invention, which is then set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a complexed work of art."
Conway's game of life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway's_Game_of_Life) is a good example of this connection. Also, we can sow the seeds, but it's hard to predict how the garden will look like (Corcuff uses the garden metaphor as well).
Chance and insignificance refer to different methods of obtaining randomness for the sake of generative art. It's the insignificance of the result which is the proof of the randomness of the data. Chance and diversity argue that by defining a process, randomness may be useful to provide diversity. Children are not more complex than their parents, but they are different.
Summary
The key points of Corcuff's paper state that:
- Diversity may be obtained, without loosing identity.
- Chance refers to a set of rules defined to generate randomness.
The paper lacks a concrete summary of the findings. There is a conclusion, but it's very brief (probably due to the event-dictated format).
Generative art
A quote (used earlier in this review and also by mrs. Corcuff) by Philip Galanter best describes the essence of generative art:
"Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist creates a process, such as a set of natural language rules, a computer program, a machine or other procedural invention, which is then set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a complexed work of art."
Critique
The paper lacked a summary of findings. There were a lot of examples (which is always nice when a difficult subject needs to be explained), but the conclusion was very brief. Also, the terms unpredictability, randmoness, diversity, insignificance were explained (through examples), but not defined. Thus, it was hard to distinguish what they meant and how they relate to each other.
Conclusions
Corcuff's opinion was that use of chance in artistic generative processes can produce diversity without sacrificing identity. This paper is very good in terms of explaining how generative processes work (e.g. the 10x10 pictures, the Library of Babel etc). Although in requires a technical background in some parts, it's still useful for those who are new to generative art and need an introduction.
The paper lacked a summary of findings. There were a lot of examples (which is always nice when a difficult subject needs to be explained), but the conclusion was very brief. Also, the terms unpredictability, randmoness, diversity, insignificance were explained (through examples), but not defined. Thus, it was hard to distinguish what they meant and how they relate to each other.
Conclusions
Corcuff's opinion was that use of chance in artistic generative processes can produce diversity without sacrificing identity. This paper is very good in terms of explaining how generative processes work (e.g. the 10x10 pictures, the Library of Babel etc). Although in requires a technical background in some parts, it's still useful for those who are new to generative art and need an introduction.
References
Corcuff, Marie-Pascale. 2008. Chance and Generativity. In GA2008, 11th Generative Art Conference, 189-199. Retrieved 21.12.2010 from http://www.generativeart.com/on/cic/papersGA2008/16.pdf
Wikipedia. (2011). Conway's Game of Life. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway's_Game_of_Life. Last accessed 21.12.2011.
Wikipedia. (2011). Iterated function system. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iterated_function_system. Last accessed 21.12.2011.
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