Stephan Groß, DECODE, photography, 2012
Stephan Groß, DECODE, Computer Graphic, 2012
Stephan Groß, DECODE, Computer Graphic, 2012
The artwork DECODE is a kind of picture puzzle that can be read “CODE CODE CODE …” as well as “DECO DECO DECO …” It confronts the viewer with the double nature of writing systems as visual form and communicative content. Illiteracy will reduce writing systems to optical patterns, leaving pattern recognition to literacy.
The work was placed on an advertising column in the Prenzlauer Berg district in Berlin.The circularity of the advertising medium ensured that no reading version was privileged: there was neither beginning nor end.
Stephan Groß studied visual arts and mathematics at the university of Bremen from 1999 till 2005 with early computer artist Frieder Nake among others. His works deal with the artistic transformation of print media, visual poetry and with installation. Groß had a fellowship of the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes and won the Löwenhof-Förderpreis, Frankfurt / Main, in 2006 and 2007. He regularly takes part in international festivals and exhibitions. Groß lives and works in Berlin. www.stephangross.net