Ральф Беккер

Irrational Computing

source: vasily-sergeevlivejournal

Ральф Беккер (Ralf Baecker) выстраивает ансамбли из кристаллических камней, в миллионы раз увеличивая невидимое содержимое микропроцессоров. Кристаллические и минеральные материалы интегральных схем, которые были подчинены исключительно человеческим потребностям в развлечениях и работе, неожиданно начинают вести собственную творческую жизнь, издавая разнообразные звуки и световые сигналы.
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source: freshgadgetsnl

Kwartskristallen zijn sinds jaar en dag een bron voor de winning van silicium, en vormen in feite het kloppende hart van onze computerende wereld. Dat wordt eens te meer bevestigd door deze prachtige installatie genaamd Irrational Computing, waarin vijf modules met onbewerkte kristallen dankzij hun piëzo-elektrische eigenschappen met elkaar kunnen communiceren.
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source: cnet

Silicon has been at the heart of computing since the 1950s, as the most common material used to make semiconductors. In nature, it rarely occurs in its pure form, but as silicon dioxide in crystals such as quartz, agate, amethyst and rock crystal.

Could these rocks in their raw form be used to make a computer? As it turns out, the answer is yes, albeit a very primitive sort of computer. German artist Ralf Baecker has created just such a device in an installation called “Irrational Computing”.

“‘Irrational Computing’ is an artistic test of material, aesthetics and potentials of the digital,” Baecker wrote on his website. “The installation is based on semiconductor crystals — the basic commodity of information technology … ‘Irrational Computing’ is not supposed to ‘function’ — its aim is to search for the poetic elements on the border between ‘accuracy’ and ‘chaos’ amplifying the mystic and magic side of these materials.”

The installation consists of five interlinked modules that are connected to various forms of crystal, either found in nature, reclaimed from industrial waste or artificially cultivated. The modules then use the specific characteristics of each crystal to transmit a signal — either a light display or an audio sound, both of which are random.

In one module, for example, 64 iron needles apply electrical loads to a silicon carbide crystal, which causes the crystal to emit electromagnetic and acoustic waves — a playback in light and sound. In another, a tray of Rochelle salt resonates with piezoelectric feedback.

The idea, according to Baecker, is to explore the idea of computing, which, in its human-created form, is precise and logical. Nature is chaotic and irrational — and computing has tamed that chaos. If, however, nature were to somehow generate its own computer, it might appear a little something like “Irrational Computing”.
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source: mediartchinaorg

Irrational Computing executes an artistic test on the physical centerpiece of contemporary digital devices. The basic raw materials of our surrounding information technology are semiconducting crystals such as silicon or silicon carbide, which, thanks to today’s advanced microtechnology and extremely sophisticated procedures, are processed into transistors or integrated circuits. The installation consists of interlinked modules that use the varied electrical particularities and characteristics of crystals and minerals and, through their networking, form a kind of primitive signal processor. The crystals used for the purpose are either taken directly from nature, industrial waste products or have been especially cultivated for the purpose. A silicon carbide crystal, for example, is made to light up at numerous points with the help of electrodes. On the specimen, there appears a kind of display, which is targeted by the data flows generated by other modules. At the same time, the crystal functions as a sound generator, since the electrical impulses change the surface of the crystal, causing it to vibrate. Via loudspeakers, these microscopic reverberations are made audible.
Digital systems, in their function, are conceived logically and rationally. The lowest physical or electro-technical level are based, however, on quantum mechanical, i.e. statistical or unpredictable processes. Modern computer technology has thus tamed and domesticated the chaotic, so to speak. This work comments on this paradox by examining the aesthetics of the materials from which has developed a global digital network. IC aim is to search for the poetic elements on the border between the physical and the virtual.

Artist bio:
Ralf Baecker is an artist with a background in computer science, who works with and about technology. He builds speculative machines and installations that investigate the digital and its cultural origin. His focus is on the encounter of thought and the (physical) world. He considers computers and cybernetic machines as epistemological hardware rather than tools. Baecker’s works have received international awards, such as a honorary mention at the Prix Ars Electronica Linz (AT) in 2012 and second prize from VIDA 14.0 Art & Artificial Life Award Madrid (ES). He has taught at the Bauhaus University in Weimar (DE) and the University of the Arts in Bremen (DE). His works have been shown in international institutions and festivals, including Malmö Konsthall (SWE), Künstlerhaus Wien (AT), ZKM Karlsruhe (DE), Martin-Gropius-Bau Berlin (DE), Center for Contemporary Art WINZAVOD Moscow (RU), and Laboral Centro de Arte Gijon (ES).
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source: triangulationjp

Irrational Computing by Ralf Baecker, 2011, is an artistic test of material, esthetics and potentials of digital processes. The installation is based on semiconductor crystals – the basic commodity of information technology. The installation consists of five interlinked modules that use the varied electrical and mechanical particularities and characteristics of crystals and minerals and, through their networking, form a kind of primitive macroscopic signal processor. “Irrational Computing” is not supposed to “function” – its aim is to search for the poetic elements on the border between “accuracy” and “chaos” amplifying the mystic and magic side of these materials. See more;

“Irrational Computing” investigates material, aethetics and potential of digital processes. The basic raw materials of our surrounding information technology are semiconductor crystals such as silicon, quartz or silicon carbide, which, thanks to today’s advanced microtechnology and extremely sophisticated procedures, are processed into transistors or integrated circuits (IC), with the materiality of modern microprocessors having long since ceased to be graspable. The extreme miniaturization and the black-box set-up elude visual interpretation. The Installations circuit runs counter to the developments in information technology, representing the system in a dimension that is enlarged many times over. The project thus corresponds to an extreme zooming-in on the smallest “physical” units of digital processes.

The installation consists of five interlinked modules that use the varied electrical and mechanical particularities and characteristics of crystals and minerals and, through their networking, form a kind of primitive macroscopic signal processor. The crystals used for the purpose are either taken directly from nature, industrial waste products or have been especially cultivated for the purpose. A silicon carbide crystal, for example, is made to light up at numerous points with the help of electrodes (LED). On the crystal piece, there appears a kind of display, which is targeted by the data flows generated by other modules. At the same time, the crystal functions as a sound generator, since the electrical impulses change the surface of the crystal, causing it to vibrate. Via loudspeakers, these microscopic reverberations are made audible for visitors.

Digital systems, in their function, are conceived logically and rationally. The lowest physical or electro-technical level (crystals with semiconductor properties) are based, however, on quantum mechanical, i.e. statistical or unpredictable processes. Modern computer technology has thus tamed and domesticated the chaotic, so to speak. In his work, Ralf Baecker comments on this paradox by examining the aesthetics of the materials from which has developed a global digital network. “Irrational Computing” is not supposed to “function” – its aim is to search for the poetic elements on the border between “accuracy” and “chaos.”

Irrational Computing by Ralf Baecker, produced by DOCK e.V. with support of the Schering Stiftung.