RHIZOME
WWW.RHIZOME.ORG
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December 6, 2004 The use of the term
'virus' to classify those bits of computer code that have wreaked havoc for
network administrators makes some sense when the similarities between them
and their biological counterparts are considered. Both carry the minimum
amount of 'information' to reproduce in the right setting, and although they
can function as indifferent parasites, leaving no noticeable trace of their
existence, few can be considered benevolent--while many are downright
lethal--for their hosts. Probably because of our less-than-amicable
relationship with biological viruses there haven't been many efforts to
preserve their biodiversity, with the exception of various bioweapons and
disease control programs, of course. Well, Argentina-based artist Gustavo
Romano has created such a preserve for the computer species of virus.
'CyberZoo,' Romano's web-based project, serves as an in-progress collection
of the 'wildest expressions of artificial life' available on the internet. In
essence, 'CyberZoo' positions itself as an effort of art conservation,
accessing and cataloguing the attempts of culture to survive the death of its
creators. - Ryan Griffis |
