Codework

In an issue of the American Book Review (22.6 2001) that focused on codework as a practice, Alan Sondheim, the originator of the term itself, introduces a three-pronged ontology for the form that includes the following criteria.

A. Works using the syntactical interplay of surface language, with reference to computer language and engagement.

B. Works in which submerged code has modified the surface language—with the possible representation of the code as well.

C. Works in which the submerged code is emergent content.

What is provocative in Sondheim’s vision of codework is that the code does emerge, is made visible, and commingles with natural language. Sondheim indicates various formulas for this commingling of surface and submerged, natural and coding languages – through syntactic interplay, surface modification, and code as content providing a number of practitioners whose work he sees operating under the each of the conditions he has outlined.

This research collection uses Sondheim’s ontology as a guideline for the selection of creative works, critical essays, and authors.