Hourly - Created by automated computer programs. Source: NYTimes.com.
Premise - Created by automated computer programs. Source: CNN.com.
Mire - Created by automated computer programs. Source: Aljazeera.net & Whitehouse.gov.
Tenet - Created by automated computer programs. Source: Catholic.org & Biblegateway.com.
Wanton - Created by automated computer programs. Source: Navy.mil & Aroms.com.
TwentyFour - Created by automated computer programs. Source: CNN.com.
Era - Created by automated computer programs. Source: NYC Webcam.
Guns - Created by automated computer programs. Source: Budsgunshop.com.
Prolefeed - Created by automated computer programs. Source: DOD.mil.
Trough - Created by automated computer programs. Source: VH1.com & Pornhub.com.
Crayon - Created by automated computer programs. Source: Asharq-e.com & Crayola™ colors.
Babylon - Created by automated computer programs. Source: AF.mil & Pornstardevil.com.
Creative Research
I am interested in how the ideas and images presented to us by the media affect our world view. As the ever present cable news cycle pushes a daily message of fear, filled with political polarization; domestic and foreign terrorism; recent kidnapped white girls; celebrity scandals; and the imminent threat of hurricane, earthquake or flood, I began to think about how these digital images and text operated, one day influencing our daily discourse, the next day vanishing without a trace. Digital leftovers reminded me of redundant computer programming. Code that was once useful, but later forgotten and obsolete.
For my current work I have borrowed the computer hacker term 'Cruft', defined as an unpleasant substance; excess; superfluous junk; and redundant or superseded computer code. To create this work I call CRUFT, I write simple algorithms that an automated computer system follows. The instructions outline what websites to target, and the system then downloads selected images and text, which are then used as source material, and remixed to create new artwork on a schedule that imitates the 24 hour cable news cycle.
View My Work
About Me
Robert Spahr is a visual artist, computer programmer, activist, and educator, who produces computational art using generative and procedural processes; digital and analog images; objects; live art and time-based media.
Recent exhibits include the Generative Art International Conference, Rome, Italy 2011; DRHA 2010 Conference: Digital Resources for the Humanities and Arts, London, England, 2010; "Urban Interventions", at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, University of Cincinnati, 2010.
Robert is currently an Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
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