The algorithms are us. The data are us. (part of doing together 24)

The algorithms are us. The data are us.

Workshop with Nigel Fryatt and Dave Webb as part of doing together 24

Friday 5 April 2024

This session explored intent, agency, automation and chance in human-scale algorithms.

Part 1: During day 1 and 2 we collected specific yet frivolous data from visitors to the event. This was unattended, and we were not be able to prevent subversion or corruption of the data.

Part 2: We devised and trialled a set of speculative human algorithms that could take inputs from unspecified sources of data. The medium and output of the algorithms was decided through discussion and experimentation, and included drawing or other mark making, movement/dance, sound or utterances.

Part 3: We performed the algorithm(s), using the data collected. We only made choices determined within the algorithm, influenced by the data, allowing the results to emerge.

Workshops, delivered by staff and postgraduate students from across the University, share practice-based research methods and a broad range of approaches to practice. doing together is proposed as a generous space to make/do/share and discuss practice with colleagues from a range of different Schools.

Throughout the symposium, facilitators – alongside participants – test out ways of doing together in an effort to make their practice-based research explicit, rather than simply describe it.