Marc Lafia and Fang-Yu Lin's Algorithmic Reimagining of 'The Battle of Algiers' for Whitney and Tate
In February and March 2006, Marc Lafia and Fang-Yu Lin unveiled their net art installation titled 'The Battle of Algiers,' which was co-commissioned by Tate Online and Artport at the Whitney Museum of American Art. This work reinterprets scenes from Gillo Pontecorvo's 1965 film that depicts the Algerian fight against French colonialism (1954-57). By employing algorithms, the piece rearranges film clips into diverse sequences, incorporating intense visuals and repeating audio elements, such as sirens and explosions. The artists seek to emphasize the contradictions within the Organization's structure. Daniel Coffeen remarks that films serve as repositories of images. This project is the second of three commissioned for Artport and Tate Online, reinforcing net art's significance in the museum's digital presence.
Key facts
- The project is titled 'The Battle of Algiers' by Marc Lafia and Fang-Yu Lin
- It was co-commissioned by Artport at the Whitney Museum of American Art and Tate Online
- Display occurred in February and March 2006
- The work re-composes scenes from Gillo Pontecorvo's 1965 film about the Algerian guerrilla struggle
- It uses algorithms to represent nationalist tactics from 1954-57
- Monochromatic stills and sound bites create overlapping patterns and loops
- Daniel Coffeen contributed a critical essay noting films as computational
- The piece is part of a series showcasing net art for virtual museums
Entities
Artists
- Marc Lafia
- Fang-Yu Lin
- Gillo Pontecorvo
- Daniel Coffeen
- Ali la Pointe
- General Mathieu
Institutions
- Artport
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Tate Online
- UC Berkeley
Locations
- Algiers
- Algeria
- France