Flarf
January 27, 2009dominique Comments OffRecently I was introduced to Flarf, a concept which is difficult to define since it’s originators refuse definition. I think anyone who likes to dork around on the web, as I do, has probably gone there though. I once used a song title search interface to find all possible permutations of the words ants, pants, and dance, printed the titles out and called it a poem. Unfortunately that example is taped to another computer desk. So for kicks I ran the “About Me” text on the homepage of this site into Google translate for Russian and back again. Here’s what I got -
“My passion for communication has become the exploration on the Internet, and as the exchange of information and creative tools – a request due to my experience as a published writer, artist, and computer science student. I am intrigued by the possibilities of digital technology and new forms of communication and the creation of his inspiring.”
Endless hours of fun. For more on the Flarf community, as it were, visit the blog.
Of course random and semi-random text generation is nothing new. It really harkens back to “cut-up” and collage techniques. The advent of the database just heightens the experiment. There are all kinds of random poetry generators to be found (just Google it), but this Dylan Thomas-esque one from the BBC is kind of fun. And of course, a perennial favorite, The PostModern Essay Generator (be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page).
I’m being a little flip here, nothing wrong with that, but it is fascinating to consider the possibilities and implications of hypermedia and the web as a creative environment – as well as more serious work in that environment. Deconstructed perhaps, but a viable and valid art form. More as I explore…