JEFFREY DANIELS





Baldwin Carried it to Market
intermedia videogame 2019
about
X3.5 kilobytes | Vic20 BASIC | key input
unique PRG download upon request (short video screen capture shown here)

BALDWIN CARRIED IT TO MARKET initiates an intermedia game with a computer mosaic portrait using bit scrolling animation techniques created on vintage hardware. Calling upon the work of James Baldwin and cryptography, play continues across multiple media platforms including real-life activities. This project was created on an unexpanded VIC20 computer and designed to be experienced with identical technical specification standards or conditions approximated in emulation. This game is currently in session and ongoing.



The Fall of Zaire
videogame 2010-2019
about
X3.5 kilobytes | Vic20 BASIC | key input
(short video screen capture shown here)

THE FALL OF ZAIRE is a durational experiment in zero-player game design that challenges the computer to bring into alignment a field of squares. I want to explore the potential for agency and machine learning in early computers. The game thematically explores events of central Africa that coincide with the commercial life span of the technology employed. This project was created on an unexpanded VIC20 computer and designed to be experienced with identical technical specification standards or conditions approximated in emulation.



Lift
videogame 2018
about
X3.5 kilobytes | Vic20 BASIC | key input
(short video screen capture shown here)

LIFT is an experiment in online game play between computers from different eras. A player publicly engages the game without explicit awareness I may control responses in real-time from afar. An esoteric narrative references transatlantic slave trade. Here, I am interested in observing failures in communication built on perceptions of indigenous technological inferiority. In exhibition, the game has additional installation and performance components. An early draft of this game is featured in Chicago New Media, 1973-1992 (University of Illinois Press). This project was created on an unexpanded VIC20 computer and designed to be experienced with identical technical specification standards or conditions approximated in emulation.



Ten Ten
videogame 2009-2021
about
X3.5 kilobytes | Vic20 BASIC | joystick or key input
itch.io download page (still screen capture shown here)

TEN TEN presents a familiar video game trope, the navigation of a maze. A single player controls two synchronized agents with asymmetrical goals. I am interested in exploring personal duality and compromise in relationships. There are several variations of this game as I revisit the theme over the years. An early version of the game was honored with a 1st place ranking in the 2009 International Mini-game Comp. This project was created on an unexpanded VIC20 computer and designed to be experienced with identical technical specification standards or conditions approximated in emulation.


God Noise
poetry collection 2005
about
X 96 pages
9 x 6 inches (23x15cm)
ISBN: 9780976050803

Alphabet of Black Cultures
visual dictionary 2020
about
XRead it now

34 color pages
11 x 8.5 inches (28x22cm)
ISBN: 9780976050827


Me

A

JEFFREY DANIELS is an artist and researcher. He serves as an Associate Professor of Composition and Creative Writing tenured at Harold Washington College, Art History and Game Design Instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and previously taught at Columbia College and the American Academy of Art. Daniels holds advanced degrees in English Literature, Poetry, and Art Technology. His games, writings, and digital art are available online and represented in public and private collections worldwide.

Daniels is the founder of Denial, an online research nexus focused on legacy computer software and hardware development supported by a diverse international community of technology historians. Founded in 1995 as a fanzine, Denial is now the preeminent global hub for creative developments related to the Commodore Vic 20 platform. This online collective is guided by a mission to preserve the traditions and cultural specificity of an early computer era.


STATEMENT

Computational creativity is the foundation of my practice. I build poems, games, and digital works as algorithmic art. These efforts are presented as recursive systems to invite, through audience engagement, the possibility of more meanings. Using play as a means of participatory research, I am interested in the application of Slow Movement ideas to technology design. My current research priorities include intermediality, transmedia poetry, marginalized vernacular art, and alterity in Black Atlantic and African diaspora literature.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks for the generous support of the following: Adrian F, Alessandro U, Anders K, Andrew K, Bindi H, Bjoerg S, Bo G, Brent S, Bret K, Brian L, Brian T, Bryan H, Bryce W, David T, Francios L, Ghislain D, Glen R, James H, Jan-Erik S, Jani I, Jeff S, K B, Kevin P, Larry C, Laurent D, Leif B, Leo L, Massimiliano C, Mat A, Matt D, Micheal I, Olli S, Paul L, Paul Q, Pedro L, Peter H, Peter J, Renato B, Robert H, Roberto B, Robin H, P1XL Games, Ryan L, Sampo R, Scott W, SignalDEV, Simon H, Stefan T, Steve M, Tobias A, Torsten K, VGA Foundation, Wayne T, William M, the Hanada Family, the Minami Senju Group, Nintendo Co. Ltd., the Terra Foundation for American Arts, Chicago Bar Association, Elizabeth Lenan Foundation, Grace and Walter Smith Byron Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, among others.

itch.io   link
Chicago New Media, 1973-1992   link
Chicago Athletic Association   pdf
Un Caffe con Jeffrey Daniels: l'Angolo dell'Artista (Italy)   pdf
Journal of Mountain Qi Ming (China)   pdf
The Visualist   pdf
Sixty Inches from Center: The Chicago Arts Archive   pdf
CA Games Magazine (Poland)   link
Retro Gamers Magazine (UK)   pdf


CONTACT

jeff @ sleepingelephant.com

sleepingelephant.com/daniels

CV, consulting, and digital assets available upon request




webpage by Jeffrey Daniels 2022