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0Job:01212 Title: Basics typography (AVA)
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Dromology
Dromos is the Greek word for speed. Paul Virilio coined
the term ‘dromology’ to discuss the signifi cance of
speed in relation to the art of warfare. In ancient and
modern times battles were fought to cover geographical
territories as fast as possible. In postmodern societies,
confl icts settle who is the fastest in covering information.
Virilio describes this shift from territorial invasion to the
imposition of time pressure by referring to the Cuban
missile crisis in 1962. The installation of Russian rockets
on Cuban territory reduced warning times between
Russia and the USA from 15 minutes to 30 seconds.
The so-called ‘hotline’, a direct telephone link between
the two heads of states was put in place to avoid delays
in negotiating the situation. Today we see hotlines
exploited for commercial purposes. Every post-industrial
market sector operates according to the fi rst-come-
fi rst-served principle. The constant omnipresence of
online information reinforces quick-sale strategies that
put consumers under pressure. With its capacity to
undermine this commercial battle against time, virtual
typography may be considered as a kind of counter-
force that seduces people to apply patience and to
spend more time on information.‘‘‘CYBERSPACE”, or, more
exactly, “cybernetic space-time,”
will emerge from the
observation, popular with
the press, that information is of
value only if it is delivered fast;
better still, that speed
is information itself!’
Paul VirilioThe Source – Greyworld
In 1994 Andrew Shoben founded the artist group
Greyworld, which created a digitally operated sculpture
called The Source. The 32-metre-high installation was
unveiled at the London Stock Exchange in 2004.
It communicates messages that rise from a cubic
constellation of 729 white glass spheres, each of which
contain their own computer-driven motor, which allows
it to move independently up and down along two of a total
of 162 suspended strings. Thus the spheres can move into
positions where they dynamically shape signs or words,
illuminated in different colours, allowing for additional signs
to emerge within the constellation of spheres. The Source
provides an aesthetic response to the daily activities of
international markets. Following the analysis of online data,
it can display daily trading results by moving the glass
spheres into the shape of arrows that move up or down.
This shows how standard communication processes can
be translated into artistic comments to encourage viewers
to contemplate the information.Job:01212 Title: Basics typography (AVA)
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