The device is a modified or, to be more precise, hacked old electric typewriter that types up people’s portraits. Since typewriters can only produce a set of standard symbols, such as letters, numbers, punctuation marks and special characters, e.g. $ or @, the device uses a unique algorithm to create an image. The algorithm transforms an original photograph so that the picture comes out as similar to it as possible. This involves a special method of selecting the most suitable character for each specific part of the image. The darker the area of the photograph, the wider and heavier letter is used and vice versa, up to using the space key.


The design was based on the Brother SX-4000 electric typewriter. Electric typewriters had a relatively short lifespan: they appeared at the time when office personal computers equipped with printers were still too expensive, while mechanical typewriters already began to be considered obsolete. Rapid progress and cheaper personal computers drove those hybrid devices out of offices in no time.

This method of creating images is referred to as ASCII-art. ASCII is a character-encoding standard used in computers, telecommunications equipment, and other devices.


hard:

- Brother sx-4000
- arduino
- camera
- lamp

soft:

- Pure Data
- Max/Msp

sp. for 101.Poetics of Digital Technologies
sp. thanks - Natalia Fedorova, Nadezhda Krylova and Anastasia Blur