ENCODING TEXT TECHNOLOGIES

Research 

My first thoughts while exploring XML were about the applications of converting text to visuals and vice versa. I believe there are many potential opportunities for communicating with computers using both text and objects. We could use computers/machines as extended eyes in research to gather information about any object we see, as well as find and identify images and patterns. The tutorials on object detection using OpenCV helped to understand the basics.

TEI: Text Encoding Initiative

I believe the need that drove the TEI and was formulated in the expression of ”standardisation and interoperability” is very comprehensive. This is probably due to its being a community-led organisation. 
I think the defined design goals will enable researchers from diverse backgrounds, however, I am still uncertain about the steps following the research or the theoretical implications, particularly in the creative industries disciplines.

TEXT & INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING 

Art has been an expressive way to communicate different beliefs and depict civilizations in diverse societies throughout human history. And what made art beautiful and distinctive, is that each society has its unique creations which stem from its origin, language and civilizations. So, what will be the outcome, if the art source will follow a standard technique and use the same language?

Generative Art 

I have always found the idea of creating art and images based on text very interesting. I think I started to figure out now, at least broadly, the link between visuals and text or text encoding technologies.  As I mentioned during the class about logo-building websites, as an example of turning text into artwork, I was excited to learn more about how it works, the process, tools and incorporated technology.

I was always curious how I could play with text in an interactive experience beyond conventional data visualisation. Incorporating AI as an example of emerging technologies in the field of art (generative art) is a source of inspiration in and of itself. However, I had confusion between reproducing artefacts from what we already know ”interactive data visualisation” or forging ahead with new and unknown creations. In other words, digitizing artworks from the cultural and civilizational heritage, or using digitalisation to create futuristic artefacts which will be the heritage of future generations!

For the time being, I hope I can strike a balance between both.

As someone who is still taking baby steps into the field, I had a concern; does standardising the format of input/text encoding (as a concept), in the art field or in the generative art discipline to be more specific, guarantee the preservation of creating unique artworks? What if all humans put the same text using the same text encoding method, are we going to have similar results? 

Thinking about my early experience in working with data; gathering, prepping, visualizing, and most importantly, deploying data and metadata as an enabler and a bridge between the past and future, my confusion remains between considering working on old and current cultural heritage datasets under the umbrella of preservation, management, and interactive visualization, and curating or deploying the data that we have in creating new artefacts.

Good projects that I find inspiring and insightful

Olivia Vane’s work
The Museum of the World

References

The Text Encoding Initiative and the Study of Literature