The Algorithm Auction
The Algorithm Auction is the world's first auction of computer algorithms.[1] Created by Ruse Laboratories, the initial auction featured seven lots and was held at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on March 27, 2015.[2]
Five lots were physical representations of famous code or algorithms, including a signed, handwritten copy of the original Hello, World! C program by its creator Brian Kernighan on dot-matrix printer paper, a printed copy of 5,000 lines of Assembly code comprising the earliest known version of Turtle Graphics, signed by its creator Hal Abelson, a necktie containing the six-line qrpff algorithm capable of decrypting content on a commercially produced DVD video disc, and a pair of drawings representing OkCupid's original Compatibility Calculation algorithm, signed by the company founders.[3] The qrpff lot sold for $2,500.[4]
Two other lots were “living algorithms,” including a set of JavaScript tools for building applications that are accessible to the visually impaired and the other is for a program that converts lines of software code into music.[5] Winning bidders received, along with artifacts related to the algorithms, a full intellectual property license to use, modify, or open-source the code.[6] All lots were sold, with Hello World receiving the most bids.[7]
Exhibited alongside the auction lots were a facsimile of the Plimpton 322 tablet on loan from Columbia University, and Nigella, an art-world facing computer virus named after Nigella Lawson and created by cypherpunk and hacktivist Richard Jones.[8]
Sebastian Chan, Director of Digital & Emerging Media at the Cooper–Hewitt,[9] attended the event remotely from Milan, Italy via a Beam Pro telepresence robot.[10]
Effects
Following the auction, the Museum of Modern Art held a salon titled The Way of the Algorithm highlighting algorithms as "a ubiquitous and indispensable component of our lives."[11]
References
- ↑ "The Algorithm Auction". Artsy. https://www.artsy.net/feature/the-algorithm-auction. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ Turner, Zeke (23 March 2015). "Beautiful Code". The New Yorker (Condé Nast). http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/30/beautiful-code. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ Johnson, Phil. "Coming to an art gallery near you: Software code". IDG Enterprise. http://www.itworld.com/article/2906455/coming-to-an-art-gallery-near-you-software-code.html. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ Hotz, Robert Lee (27 May 2015). "What's Hot in the Art World? Algorithms". Dow Jones & Company. https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-hot-in-the-art-world-algorithms-1432687554. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ↑ Stinson, Liz. "The First Auction for Algorithms Is Attracting $1,000 Bids". Wired (Condé Nast). https://www.wired.com/2015/03/meet-thousand-dollar-algorithms-auction/. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ "Anthony Ferraro – Hypothetical Beats". Artsy. https://www.artsy.net/artwork/anthony-ferraro-hypothetical-beats. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ Spilka, Simone (27 March 2015). "Algorithm Auction Proves Code is Art". http://www.psfk.com/2015/03/artsy-algorithm-auction-artsy-code-is-art.html. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ "The Algorithm Auction Press Release". Ruse Laboratories. 19 March 2015. https://www.artsy.net/article/ruse-laboratories-the-algorithm-auction-press-release. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ simonsc (9 September 2013). "Meet the Staff: Sebastian Chan". Smithsonian. http://www.cooperhewitt.org/2013/09/09/meet-the-staff-sebastian-chan/. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ "Beam Pro Robot-mosphere". http://bfa.com/people/beampro-robot-mosphere. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ↑ Antonelli, Paola. "The Way of the Algorithm". http://momarnd.moma.org/salons/salon-16-the-way-of-the-algorithm/. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
 |  |
