Algorithmic Book Composition


(A-B-C) Kit


ꕤ Concept, Design, Website Development & Design: Kameelah Janan Rasheed
ꕤ Originally Commissioned by Ulises (Philadelphia, PA)
ꕤ Browser-Based Translation Commissioned by MIT List Visual Arts Center's Profiling Series

What is an algorithm?

An algorithm is a process or set of rules for performing a computation. A familiar example of an algorithm is a recipe.

When artists designed scenarios and instructions for the audience or collaborators, we got the language of scores, invitations, prompts, constraints, and even "software."

In the fields of art and literature, an algorithm like an OuLiPian writing constraint or a surrealist writing game can function as an opportunity to get out of your own way. It is an invitation to get out of your normal routine.


What is a book?

In the New Art of Making Books, Ulises Carrión describes a book as
a sequence of spaces. Each of these spaces is perceived at a different moment - a book is also a sequence of moments [...] A book is a space-time sequence [...] In the new art the writer makes books. To make a book is to actualize its ideal space-time sequence by means of the creation of a parallel sequence of signs, be it linguistic or other.


What is algorithmic book composition?

Algorithmic book composition prompts participants to create a book object based upon randomly decided parameters. Instead of sitting down to choose the content, mode of distribution, edition size, or even binding, participants surrender to a roll of dice, a card pull, and more.


What is the Algorithm Book Composition (A-B-C) Kit?

It is a kit sold at Ulises. I have translated this analog kit into a browser-based experience. Like with all translations, not all elements and experiences can be "carried over" from one interface to another.