Editor: Frans Evers
Translation: Maz Weston, Menno Grootveld, Susan Vergeer-Hunt
Design: Lucas van der Velden
36 pp, 100 g, 15 x 17 cm, English, 2001
ISBN: 01110001101

Recently unearthed from the Sonic Acts archive, The Art Of Point Pixel Programming is a DVD with data track and a 36-page book, released after Sonic Acts Festival in 2000. More than two decades on, the publication offers a fascinating perspective on early computer art as well as Sonic Act’s inaugural years as an organisation.

Originally presented as part of the Points and Pixels lecture series, the book contains transcribed talks: ‘Poor Man’s Infinity’ by Taco A.W. Stolk, ‘The Arab Method’ by Dick Raaijmakers and ‘Electronic Brushstrokes’ by Vincent Icke. Each of the texts moves through evocative metaphor – locked bathroom doors, biblical scenes, monastic musical scales and the noise of dying stars – to describe the pixel as a room, vault of information or vehicle for fantasy.

The data track contains videos from the following performances: ‘XorC’ by Peter Max and Robert Pravda, ‘XORCE-1’ by Dr. Loop vs. Tappo Kontakt, ‘Qt x (tcw23)W’ by Arthur Ivens, ‘_Reply-X_or_C’ by Geert Oddens and Minuszero, and ‘sBar’ by Robert Pravda. Its concluding pages and introduction cover Sonic Acts activities, detailing past editions of the festival while reflecting the convergence of arts education and research with club culture.

Contents

Introduction – Sonic Acts

Poor Man’s Infinity – Taco A. W. Stolk

The Arab Method – Dick Raaijmakers

Electronic Brushstrokes – Vincent Icke

The Future – Sonic Acts

Sonic Facts: Summary Of Sonic Acts Programmes 1994-2000 – Sonic Acts

CD/CD ROM: Xorc And Out of Data – Robert Pravda, Peter Max