Perception

BACKGROUND: This research explores the potential for the automated production of poetry and literature through the medium of artists’ book design and publishing (Drucker; Philippot; Lippard). Automated poetry in various forms can be traced back to the Oulipo, Dada, and Surrealist movements; the Beat poets; the cut-up methods of William Burroughs; and the ‘altered book’ practice of Tom Phillips. This research tests the opportunities for computer-generated poiesis using an algorithmic version of the found art production technique of erasure poetry. CONTRIBUTION: “Perception” is an artist’s book consisting of computer-generated erasure poetry derived from M.D. Vernon’s book The Psychology of Perception (1962) on the development of the human awareness of the world through the senses. The publication was generated with a custom-made A.I. driven software capable of recognising and illustrating poems which are latent within the original text but as yet unperceived by humans. The work allows the reader to reflect on how a machine may develop its own ability to become aware of the world through its sensors. Like the child’s growing awareness of its surroundings, described by Vernon in her book, the machine’s algorithm attempts to build new meanings by uncovering Haiku poems within the words on the page. SIGNIFICANCE: “Perception” was awarded the 2020 Cornish Family Prize for Art and Design Publishing. The prize is the most significant of its kind, the first in the Asia-Pacific region to recognise the book in its entirety, rather than individual elements such as graphic design or print production, acknowledging publishing as a key critical practice around the world and supporting innovation in the field. According to Tony Ellwood MA, ‘Perception is an outstanding example of contemporary art and design publishing.’ The award was presented at the National Gallery of Victoria International during the opening of Melbourne Design Week. The work is featured on NGV’s website.