TRANSMISSION ART ARCHIVE
CAPTCHA POEMS
David Moscovich
The CAPTCHA POEMS are a series of poems generated through the anti-spamming software known as CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart). The concept for this project derives from a fascination with the randomness, chaos, indeterminacy and the intersection of technology with poetry. Author plus software equals poetry. Spoken performance is the only moment possible for human authentication of the work. Initially, the artist’s will is subtracted from the equation, leaving only the note taking to formulate the poem, which consists of an automated list of word pairs digitalized then reproduced for the CAPTCHA software. For every two words I wrote them down and compiled a list until I felt each poem was finished. I hit the reload button and recorded the randomized words the CAPTCHA software produces, then read them aloud through electronic effects which I manipulate myself in real time. Some words or combination of words were repeated, echoed, reverberated, bounced, or delayed during performance. The track was composed and performed solo in one take, with no overdubs. Recorded by Radio Ruido in Brooklyn, NY.