I’m a longtime fan of the conceptual artist Mark Lombardi (1951 – 2000). Lately, using free online A.I. tools, I’ve been experimenting with making strange things that are far outside of my capacity to code. In the past, these projects have depended on the kindness of friends and strangers. It’s been difficult: with no budget of any kind, any awesome idea tends to emerge from the margins of time and focus. This new process is akin to explaining to a blind coding protege toddler how to make what you imagine in requests and feedback that have to fit on a post-it note.
I’m making or have made about a dozen online tools that I find useful in my professional and personal life: timers, poster generators, soundboards. This one is the first one I’m sharing publicly.
Mark Lombardi’s work consisted of pencil drawings that neatly laid out networks of power, political deceit, and financial corruption. To quote another favorite conceptual artist, Jenny Holzer, ““Abuse of power comes as no surprise.” Lombardi managed to surprised by laying it all out on the paper. This is a machine that allows the home conceptual artists to attempt a similar feat digitally. Please enjoy responsibly.