Apocalypse Forever

v1.0 by: Michael Takeo Magruder, 2014

A modular new media installation that endlessly generates contemporary visual interpretations of the Book of Revelation.

Installation Documentation (v1.0):

About the Artwork:

Since its writing, the Book of Revelation has been the subject of untold controversy and debate. Humanity has forever been preoccupied with deciphering the 'true' meaning to its overarching narrative and hidden spiritual messages.

Apocalypse Forever is a modular new media installation that 'translates' the Book of Revelation into machine code/language. Unlike other traditional static transcriptions of the text, this version has the power to endlessly generate contemporary visual interpretations of the Book itself.

The artwork consists of three main elements. The first is a set of 22 small laser-engraved 'tablets' that draw comparisons with stone/clay-based systems of writing from ancient times. Each tablet contains the entire text of one chapter of Revelation that is encoded using the PDF417 barcode scheme, a Codabar code that relates the chapter number, and a QR code that enacts an automated Google image search using the chapter's first verse as a search string. The installation's second component is a corresponding series of 22 large format digital wall prints. The prints use the same information contained within the tablets but incorporate an additional aesthetic 'woven' layer that is generated from the original Koine Greek version of Revelation and six historically significant translations (the Latin Vulgate, Wycliffe's, Tyndale's, the King James Version, John Nelson Darby's and the New Revised Standard Version). The final part of the work is a real-time wall projection that cycles through the 22 QR code web-image searches. This aspect of the installation shows a live visual 'reading' of the Book – each moment calling forth some new and unpredictable interpretation of the text.

Digital Media Documentation:

In Dialogue with:

Dr. Michelle Fletcher [ academic 'reading' and context ]

With Thanks to:

Prof. Ben Quash [ academic project lead ] . Alfredo Cramerotti [ curatorial project lead ] . Emma Puente [ media production ]

Installation Documentation (v1.1):

Supported by:

Apocalypse Forever v1.0 was produced in 2014 as part of De/coding the Apocalypse – a solo exhibition exploring contemporary creative visions inspired by and based on the Book of Revelation; presented by the Cultural Institute at King’s College London in partnership with contemporary art centre MOSTYN and the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at King’s. The artwork's research phase (2012-13) was funded by the Leverhulme Trust's artist-in-residence programme.

Artwork Requirements:

[ gallery ] Modular installation with: 22 laser-engraved tablets and digital wall-prints; computer and projector system displaying live Google image searches (HTML5); and real-time soundscape (Flash).