Robert B. LISEK

Workshop poses fundamental questions concerning the working of human brain and randomness. It is intended for experienced users interested in practical use of randomness for creative purposes in visual arts, music and film.

Nowadays, many procedures based on simulation of random processes lie at the basis of practical applications in banking, stock market, games, in enciphering passwords etc.

The workshop consists of:

• practical application of pseudo-random generators for constructing visual works, music compositions and films with the use of languages such as LISP, Supercollider, Pure Data, Fluxus, Ianix etc. (automata, monte carlo method, random walk, pseudo-random generators, probability distributions and others)

• extraction of randomness from a physical processes through hacking analogue devices for detection, amplification, sonic and visual analysis (electromagnetic fields, gas particles, photons and decay of radioactive materials)

Generating random numbers is not easy. People are extremely bad at generating random sequences. People behave in a mechanic and repetitive manner. Human brain aims to conceive reality within periodic sequences and patterns.

Randomness also plays an essential role in artistic practice (concept of the ready made, metalanguage in conceptual art, new formal ways of composing through the use of probability distributions and stochastic techniques, Xenakis’s GENDY, noise etc.)

The workshop also deals with significance of randomness for socio-political processes. Internet is understood more in terms of control exercised by government agencies (e.g. NSA) and advertising agencies. Random numbers are crucial for: encryption keys, random authentication, key-agreement schemes, generating prime numbers and so on.

2. The use of pseudo-random number generators: discussion and practical application of pseudo-random generators for constructing visual works, music compositions and films with the use of languages such as LISP, Supercollider, Pure Data, Fluxus, Ianix etc.

• automata

• monte carlo method

• random walk

• pseudo-random generators

• probability distributions

• Kolmogorov complexity

• algorithmic probability and application to strong AI

Algorithmic randomness may be an excellent approximation of “true” randomness e.g.: quantum randomness or randomness achieved in other physical way.

3. Extraction of randomness from a physical processes. The Workshop investigates hidden physical processes occurring permanently in our everyday environment saturated by electromagnetic waves and radiation as possible sources of randomness by practical examining of:

• electromagnetic fields and brain waves

• chemical structures and reactions

• particles in gases and liquids (brownian motion)

and

entirely random processes on the quantum level:

• behavior of photons

• decay of radioactive materials

WEB_Lisek1

Bio

Robert B. LISEK
http://fundamental.art.pl
Fundamental Research Lab
Poland

Robert B. LISEK is an artist, mathematician and composer who focuses on systems and processes (computational, biological, social). He is involved in the number of projects focused on crital art strategies, hacktivism and tactical media. Drawing upon conceptual art, software art and meta-media, his work intentionally defies categorization. Lisek is a pioneer of art based on AI.
Lisek is also a composer of contemporary music, author of many projects and scores on the intersection of spectral, stochatistic, concret music, musica futurista and noise.
Author of many exhibitions and concerts, among others: QUANTUM ENIGMA – STEIM Amsterdam, NUCLEAR RANDOM GENERATOR – Harvestworks Arts Center New York, Fluc Wanne Vienna, RADICAL MIND – Columbia University New York, TERROR ENGINES – WORM Center Rotterdam, Secure Insecurity – ISEA Istanbul; DEMONS – Venice Biennale (accompanying events); Manifesto vs. Manifesto – Ujazdowski Castel of Contemporary Art, Warsaw; NGRU – FILE, Sao Paulo; NEST – ARCO Art Fair, Madrid; FLOAT – Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, NYC; WWAI – Siggraph, Los Angeles; Falsecodes – Red Gate Gallery, Beijing; FXT- ACA Media Festival, Tokyo and ISEA, Nagoya.