GLOBAL ARTWORK MASH-UP
a worldwide interconnected set of 'art components'
CONCEPT
Although being physically invisible, the API will lead to an omnipresent meta-artwork, reflecting on todays' radically new dynamic between artist, artwork and audience. Visitors of the exhibition will be invited to assembling their own creative art mash-ups consisting of a selection of API enabled artworks. Instead of being the usual "2.0" co-creators of content only, the ISEA2011 audience will become co-creators on the level of the artwork. Which is a very suitable manifestation of a prominent trend of our time: artists providing the tools and context to let everyone become an artist too.
Read about the background of the project
View the current state of the artwork Overview.
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API FOR ART V1.0
the API is a specification of inputs/outputs
API EXPLANATION
The abbreviation "API" comes from the context of the world wide web. It stands for "Application Programmer Interface". It allows websites to integrate and make use of each others' functions. Now this "API" principle is being launched in an art context. Now indicating an "Art Practitioner Interface", the API is about specifying the inputs and outputs of an interactive work. By doing so, artworks can be controlled through their interface. They can be connected, producing outputs as a reaction on each others' inputs.
The abbreviation "API" comes from the context of the world wide web. It stands for "Application Programmer Interface". It allows websites to integrate and make use of each others' functions. Now this "API" principle is being launched in an art context. Now indicating an "Art Practitioner Interface", the API is about specifying the inputs and outputs of an interactive work. By doing so, artworks can be controlled through their interface. They can be connected, producing outputs as a reaction on each others' inputs.
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ART COMPONENTS
JOIN! Connect your art piece to the mash-up too!
HOW?
Follow these steps below to participate in the global art mash-up:
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1
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PREPARE |
2
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CONNECT |
3
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CONFIGURE |
HELPDESK
For assistance, check the helpdesk
INTRO
The "API for art" project aims to develop a uniform interface mechanism for every imaginable type of artwork. For now, this V1.0 version is a basic 'rolling' start of such a development. An API will will enable the artworks to open up and connect to their surrounding context, in analogy to how the world wide web currently functions. Nowadays' websites operate as modules to be combined freely and creatively forming new meaningful applications.
BACKGROUND
We spend a significant part of our life in the online world. Since art has since long been a way of reflecting on life, it is not a surprise that artworks are reflecting on developments happening on the world wide web. The appearance of the internet (web1.0) was the input for many Net-art projects. And since recent years artists are making use of web2.0 techniques, for example to crowdsource the creation of art content. But web2.0 means more than just this cooperative way of creating content. Nowadays' websites are modeled fundamentally different, being components too, which enabled the flourishing mash-up culture. This aspect of the contemporary world wide web is the basis for the "API for art" project. Mirroring the phenomenon within an art context means transforming individual artworks into modules to be used through an "API" specifying all their inputs and outputs.
CURATORIAL CONTEXT
As a result, artworks will no longer be isolated entities. Through their API interface they can engage in interchanges beyond their boundaries. Exchanging data or signals or content with other (interactive) artworks and their dynamically transitional contexts. The artistic contents or message of the artwork being re-contextualised depending on the temporary local framework in which the artwork will coexist in relationship with other API enabled artworks.
PROCESS
To let artworks be accessible and operatable through an API interface, they will need to be slightly modified or extended. In most cases, the addition will have the form of a small set of wires for the API inputs and outputs. The API's will be implemented according to the IART methodology, developed by Bill Spinhoven.
To facilitate the modification process, we propose to launch a helpdesk to assist artists with any technical issues they encounter. The helpdesk will actively informing the public about the envisioned new model for artworks. Hands-on workshops halfway the year and during ISEA2011 will demonstrate the technology.
RESULTS
Although being physically invisible, the API will be an omnipresent meta-artwork, reflecting on todays' radically new dynamic between artist, artwork and audience. Visitors of the exhibition will be invited to assembling their own creative art mash-ups consisting of a selection of API enabled artworks. Instead of being the usual "2.0" co-creators of content only, the ISEA2011 audience will become co-creators on the level of the artwork. Which is a very suitable manifestation of a prominent trend of our time: artists providing the tools and context to let everyone become an artist too.
The "API for art" project aims to develop a uniform interface mechanism for every imaginable type of artwork. For now, this V1.0 version is a basic 'rolling' start of such a development. An API will will enable the artworks to open up and connect to their surrounding context, in analogy to how the world wide web currently functions. Nowadays' websites operate as modules to be combined freely and creatively forming new meaningful applications.
BACKGROUND
We spend a significant part of our life in the online world. Since art has since long been a way of reflecting on life, it is not a surprise that artworks are reflecting on developments happening on the world wide web. The appearance of the internet (web1.0) was the input for many Net-art projects. And since recent years artists are making use of web2.0 techniques, for example to crowdsource the creation of art content. But web2.0 means more than just this cooperative way of creating content. Nowadays' websites are modeled fundamentally different, being components too, which enabled the flourishing mash-up culture. This aspect of the contemporary world wide web is the basis for the "API for art" project. Mirroring the phenomenon within an art context means transforming individual artworks into modules to be used through an "API" specifying all their inputs and outputs.
CURATORIAL CONTEXT
As a result, artworks will no longer be isolated entities. Through their API interface they can engage in interchanges beyond their boundaries. Exchanging data or signals or content with other (interactive) artworks and their dynamically transitional contexts. The artistic contents or message of the artwork being re-contextualised depending on the temporary local framework in which the artwork will coexist in relationship with other API enabled artworks.
PROCESS
To let artworks be accessible and operatable through an API interface, they will need to be slightly modified or extended. In most cases, the addition will have the form of a small set of wires for the API inputs and outputs. The API's will be implemented according to the IART methodology, developed by Bill Spinhoven.
To facilitate the modification process, we propose to launch a helpdesk to assist artists with any technical issues they encounter. The helpdesk will actively informing the public about the envisioned new model for artworks. Hands-on workshops halfway the year and during ISEA2011 will demonstrate the technology.
RESULTS
Although being physically invisible, the API will be an omnipresent meta-artwork, reflecting on todays' radically new dynamic between artist, artwork and audience. Visitors of the exhibition will be invited to assembling their own creative art mash-ups consisting of a selection of API enabled artworks. Instead of being the usual "2.0" co-creators of content only, the ISEA2011 audience will become co-creators on the level of the artwork. Which is a very suitable manifestation of a prominent trend of our time: artists providing the tools and context to let everyone become an artist too.