Experiment 2 – Rules based processes to generate new materials

Problem

I needed to find more interesting ways to combine the large and growing ‘database’ of pandemic diary content i.e. break away for the idea that the content should be presented in a traditional day-by-day diary format with content organised and presented in a chronological order and consistent layout.

Hypothesis

Using a rules based approach will allow me to break free from my current literal interpretation of how the pandemic diary content should be presented and open up new possibilities.

Expected results

I will combine content in new and interesting ways.

What happened

I demonstrate the way I applied rules-based chance operations to select text and image assets in a short video.

Experiment 2.1 – Chance combinations of diary images

Rules

Using a random number generator (https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/statistics/random-number-generator.php), select three numbers between 410 and 655 (these correspond to the first diary and last diary entries in my current version of the diary – 04/05/21 to 30/12/21).

Create three images by combining the image/text content

Repeat process twice

What happened

Image combination 01

Three numbers:

  • 466 –
  • 535 –
  • 653 –

Image combination 02

  • 469
  • 521
  • 518
Fig 1 – Contact sheet showing image selections from Experiment 2.1 (2022)

Experiment 2.2 – Chance combinations of diary images and notebook pages

Rules

As above and add three random numbers between 1 and 160 corresponding to a page in my notebook.

Create two images by combining the image/text content

Repeat process twice

What happened

Image combination 01

Three numbers corresponding to diary entries:

  • 435
  • 647
  • 566

Three numbers corresponding to notebook pages:

  • 24
  • 132
  • 142

Image combination 02

Three numbers corresponding to diary entries:

  • 553
  • 556
  • 543

Three numbers corresponding to notebook pages:

  • 55
  • 100
  • 134
Fig 2 – Contact sheet showing image selections from Experiment 2.2 (2022)
Fig 3 – Contact sheet showing notebook selections from Experiment 2.2 (2022)

Experiment 2.3 – Chance combinations of diary images and latest notebook pages

Using a random number generator, select three numbers between 287 and 409 (these correspond to 01/01/21 to 03/05/21).

Create three images by combining the image/text content

As above and add three random numbers between 1 and 116 corresponding to a page in my current notebook.

Repeat process twice

Image combination 01

  • 383
  • 407
  • 305

Three numbers corresponding to notebook pages:

  • 79
  • 81
  • 84

Image combination 02

  • 336
  • 292
  • 307

Three numbers corresponding to notebook pages:

  • 96
  • 63
  • 100
Fig 4 – Contact sheet showing image selections from Experiment 2.3 (2022)
Fig 5 – Contact sheet showing notebook selections from Experiment 2.3 (2022)

Experiment 2.4 – Create artifact

Rules

Combine the text and image content from the previous two experiments into a into a new artifact.

Complete the exercise in no longer than 4-hours.

What happened

Variants of Concern – Experiment 2.4Download

Experiment 2.5

Using any of the materials created in previous parts of the experiment, design three silkscreen prints.

I used Photoshop to created layered artwork that became different layers in a silkscreen print process.

Printing was done during Open Access sessions at Ochre Print Studios in Guildford.

I also created artwork for a risograph print, that at time of writing is being printed at www. wildandkind.com.

Fig 6 – Silkscreen print combining image and text assets – A3 sized (2022)
Fig 7 – Silkscreen print combining image and text assets – A3 sized (2022)
Risograph print combining image and text assets – A3 sized (2022)

What I learned

Treating the pandemic diary content as a database of assets to be mixed and manipulated is a much more fruitful, interesting and engaging way of treating the material.

This small experiment demonstrated how far it’s possible to push a limited set of the content.

What I’ll do next

Use this random process to create a series of digital images and texts that explore combining visual research output as another content asset.

References

Citations

Random number generator: https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/statistics/random-number-generator.php

List of illustrations

Figure 1 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Contact sheet showing image selections from Experiment 2.1  In possession of: the author

Figure 2 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Contact sheet showing image selections from Experiment 2.2  In possession of: the author

Figure 3 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Contact sheet showing notebook selections from Experiment 2.2  In possession of: the author

Figure 4 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Contact sheet showing image selections from Experiment 2.3  In possession of: the author

Figure 5 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Contact sheet showing notebook selections from Experiment 2.3  In possession of: the author

Figure 6 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Silkscreen print combining image and text assets – A3 sized [Silkscreen print] In possession of: the author

Figure 7 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Silkscreen print combining image and text assets – A3 sized [Silkscreen print] In possession of: the author

Figure 8 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Risograph print combining image and text assets – A3 sized [Risograph print] In possession of: the author