Hyper & Cosmic

Typography transcends its linguistic roots in Hyper & Cosmic, a documentation of the latest works by generative artist Mark Webster. 

In Hypertype, emotion recognition technology transforms into visual poetry, weaving a tapestry of words, symbols, and letters derived from extensive research into AI and sentiment analysis. This series invites viewers to question the implications of "computers automating humans" while marvelling at the intricate, grid-based compositions that blur the boundaries between language and abstraction.

With Cosmic Poems, Webster takes us further into algorithmic spaces, blending his reflections on AI with the spirit of concrete poetry. Each piece is a unique generative output that explores the tensions between structured computation and the human search for meaning. These works, minted on the blockchain, allow participants to engage with the art as both creators and collectors, emphasising the participatory nature of digital media.

Containing essays by Adrian Shaughnessy (Intro, Unit Editions); Simon Renaud (Fonts and Faces, Language as Symbols); and Jean-Noël Lafargue (<=280), Hyper & Cosmic offers an in-depth look at Webster’s creative processes.

The book also comes with a limited-edition duotone risoprint, making it a highly collectable item.

Perfect for lovers of generative art, computational aesthetics, and the philosophical questions raised by AI, Hyper & Cosmic is a thought-provoking journey into the visual and emotional landscapes of the digital age.

Mark Webster was born in Canada, raised in England and currently lives in France. After graduating in London with a modern languages degree in 1997, he moved to Paris and began to orientate his work towards the arts. This has involved an eclectic mix of activities in diverse areas such as animation, sound design, graphic design, teaching and even a stint as a journalist working in the field of motion design.

In the last couple of years, his efforts have been devoted to developing a body of personal artistic work that is driven by curiosity to explore and experiment with code based media. He creates art and graphic work primarily using custom-made software tools along with computational and generative strategies as his main approach.