I webscraped years of a message thread with a friend on facebook. I built a python script that would extract nouns or noun chunks from our respective texts, encode them into ASCII strings and perform a subtraction: my words subtracted from their words. The results of this equation are encoded into a bytearray that is then “injected” into the data of an image representative of our relationship, thus corrupting (or ‘glitching’) the file.
I performed this live. Using the same file for this data conversion and debasement, I read the words being used by the script as poems while the .jpeg progressively decayed behind me.
I performed this live. Using the same file for this data conversion and debasement, I read the words being used by the script as poems while the .jpeg progressively decayed behind me.
THE SUBTRACTION OF ME FROM YOU
(sample output)
the depths and university
subtracted from
our relationship and democracy's kids
too many things and my fake teeth
and Sapere (knowledge)
subtracted from
the complete opposite, McRobbie's email address
and well, the gayness
Alice and the south
and video installations
and a dinner
subtracted from
the most precious thing and this cafe
and freeeeedom
and no way


our relationship
and ten real quick eat lunches
and compromises
and silly details-
subtracted from
A FIVE-MINUTE PERIOD
and gogo
and urban wildlife
and the only frustrating thing
post and all the pieces
and UCAS clearing
and the distant whisper
and the dice
and the moment
and (his exact words)
subtracted from
the days and so much magic
and party
and the advice
and a fucking screen
and a voice message
and my dashboard

One day and that question
and the forest
and your exam
and an ocean
and just a child
and my brain
and a piece
subtracted from
this case and hold
and loss
and my aviator goggles
and some errands
and our relationship
and an enchanting voice
and everyday me
a STANDARD TEST and You beautiful thing
and revelation
and the universe
and your comfort zone
and your beautiful beautiful existence
and other currents
and lightness
and the hole
and every sense
subtracted from
your body and a sunday morning
and NX
and My friend
and a letter
and the first times
and the NAB
and un piccolo grande miracolo
and the 10th
and i
