smallworld

Since 1984, I have explored the potential of using algortihms based upon observations of the social behaviours of humans and other animals and other natural phenomena, like plant growth, to generate shapes and forms, images, animations and interactive works that are aesthetically engaging.

The first Smallworld programs were developed whilst Artist in Residence at the Computing Laboratory of the University of Kent at Canterbury (UKC). The residency was sponsored by The Arts Council and South East Arts.

Stephen Bell as Artist in Residence in the UKC Computing Lab 1984-85

A condition of the residency was that it should end with an exhibition. The exhibition in the Gulbenkain Theatre Gallery in 1985 coincided with the university’s celebration of its first twenty years and showed examples of the different types of work I had been creating.

THE EXHIBITION

The following ten images are examples of the work exhibited.

DOCUMENTS

A selection of articles and posters that were produced during and immediately after the residency at the University of Kent at Canterbury from 1984-85
Article in the Newsletter of the University of Kent at Canterbury, February 1984
Poster for first exhibition at UKC
Article in the Newsletter of the University of Kent at Canterbury, May 1984
Article in the Newsletter of the University of Kent at Canterbury, June 1984
Item in the university’s annual report 1984
Article in The Sunday Times Magazine, June 16, 1985
Invitation to Private View
UKC Exhibitions Insurance (Note value of computer)
Article in The Times, Saturday August 3 1985
Kent Bulletin cover, December 1985
Article in Kent Bulletin, December 1985
Article in Kent Bulletin, December 1985
Cover of UKC Computing Laboratory prospectus
Back cover of UKC Computing Laboratory prospectus
Item in the catalogue for the Olympia Draughting, Design and Graphics Exhibition, October 1985 (My work was a ‘feature’ of the show)