The Hack-Able Curator
The Hack-Able Curator searches Flickr for images to use for an imaginary exhibition. Using a predefined set of tags, the system creates a pool of images to choose from. The images are chosen by means of a robot arm controlled by a simple algorithm, based on the full set of tags associated with the images.
When an image is chosen, the owner of the image is informed of the choice, to give them opportunity to opt-out if they so wish. The choice is displayed on the Hack-Able Curator's web site (http://hackablecurator.org.uk).
The web site includes instructions on how to vote for or against the curator's choices - to influence its future decisions. By uploading images into the pool, it is also possible to influence the curating process. More information on how to 'hack' the 'curator' is available on the project web site (http://hackablecurator.org.uk).
By providing a mechanism for 'hacking' the curatorial process, the project asks questions about the subjective role of the curator and suggests a more democratic solution.
The Hack-Able Curator is a collaborative project by Anaisa Franco, Anita Barwacz, Andy Bennett, Lindsey Bedford, Martha Patricia Niño, Richard Wilkes.