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
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
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
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
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.
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
Illustration 