Exercise B: Instruction Sets

Part 1

1. Create a composition using html and css we've learned so far. It can be abstract or concrete, like a group of shapes with animations applied or a css grid blog layout you've been wanting to try.
   
   Some of the things you should utilize:
• flexbox or css grid
• img tags
• css animations
• media queries
• css position
• border-radius
• css fonts
• chance operations
2. As you are creating your composition, write down each step in everyday language (words only, no units or css properties) that went into producing it to create a set of instructions or "program" to repeat it. Be mindful when using images or text, so that it's easy enough to describe how your partner can also access these elements. Here's an example from our firefly workshop.
3. When you are done, add your project to your github (git slides for refresher) and then email both the url and instructions to me (beasleym@newschool.edu). Submit your work no later than Monday, February 17th at 8pm.

Part 2

1. You'll receive the instructions for one of your classmate's compositions on Tuesday Morning.
2. Execute each step of their instructions to recreate the composition.
3. Once finished upload your second composition to git and email me the url by Thursday, February 20th at 8pm.

Reference Material:

• Hans Richter: Rhythm, 1921
• Sol Lewitt: Instruction Set Drawings
• Proposal for Wall Drawing, Information Show, 1970
• Wall Drawing 797, close up, 1995
• The first drafter has a black marker and makes an irregular horizontal line near the top of the wall. Then the second drafter tries to copy it (without touching it) using a red marker. The third drafter does the same, using a yellow marker. The fourth drafter does the same using a blue marker. Then the second drafter followed by the third and fourth copies the last line drawn until the bottom of the wall is reached.
• John Cage: Indeterminacy
• Music of Changes
• Score Example
• Performance
• Yoko Ono
• Painting to Be Stepped On, 1960
• Grapefruit, 1964
• Alexei Shulgin: Form Art, 1997
• Diana Smith: CSS Paintings, 2019

Next class we'll compare them side by side and discuss:

• How does a program enforce standards (rules) vs. facilitate expression (variables)
• If the instructions employed chance, how much does that change the composition?
• How will your partner get the assets required to complete the composition (fonts, images, etc)
• What assumptions do we commonly make?
• How do you solve problems of ambiguity when the original design isn't available?