“A stroke may be massive as collapsing storms or feathery as cicada wings;
guiding the brush as if bringing forth springs,
stopping it as if standing steadfastly like mountains;
delicate as the waxing crescent rising over the horizons,
dispersed as the countless stars arrayed across the universe.”
－A Narrative on Calligraphy, Sun Guoting
Based on the artist’s experience of practicing “A Narrative on Calligraphy” for many years, “Calligrapedia: A Universal Algorithm” utilizes a machine learning model called Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to analyze a large number of calligraphy drafts. Drawing inspiration from natural elements such as landscapes, animals, and plants, it has developed a series of human-machine-made Chinese characters that flow between script and organic things. On the other hand, through collaboration with a folk tale narrator in Kaohsiung, it reinterprets ancient oral stories passed down worldwide with "qualitative transformation" as its core:
"...the severed giant snake split in two, with one half falling into the sea and the other half transforming into Banping Mountain..." (The legend of Mount Banping in Kaohsiung).
"...the eagle folded its wings and transformed into a minstrel, snuck within the crowd..." (Folk tale from Armenia). And so on.
Deconstructing machine learning’s aspects of image style recognition and simulation, “Calligrapedia: A Universal Algorithm” explores how words, language, and mythological narratives in human history continuously interpret themselves through learning from the world around them. The work constructs an intertwined view of human-machine-nature interaction. Combining the interdisciplinary practices of calligraphy, generative images, and sound performance, it contemplates on the essence of creation and relationships between humans, machines, and nature.
