Research Catalog

Balzaculator : La comédie humaine as a binary system for Balzacolytes

Title
Balzaculator : La comédie humaine as a binary system for Balzacolytes / by A.S. Lorenz.
Author
Lorenz, Angela
Publication
  • [Bologna, Italy] : Angela Lorenz, [2013]
  • ©2013

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Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schwarzman Building to submit a request in person.

TextBy appointment only Spencer Coll. Ital. 2013 22-534Schwarzman Building - Print Collection Room 308

Details

Additional Authors
Artists' Books Collection (Library of Congress) DLC
Description
1 case (91 unnumbered cards) : color illustrations; 17 x 26 cm
Summary
"This is an analog, proto-computer to determine which characters created by Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) appear in which stories or novels of The Human Comedy. In 1833, after Balzac had already started writing this collection of 90+ novels and stories, he realized the potential of weaving repeating characters throughout the works ... Of the thousands of characters, all appearing four or more times are here. The loom apparatus pays homage to French weaver and merchant Jacquard ... The viewer may place the punched card in front of any of the 179 repeating characters in the Balzaculator and colored dots will show the novels or stories in which a character appears. The Balzaculator Color Code on the reverse is a key to enrich each character by citing professions, status, and personal qualities"--Colophon.
Subject
  • Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850
  • Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850 > Characters
  • Comédie humaine (Balzac, Honoré de)
  • Characters and characteristics in literature
  • Punched card systems > Pictorial works
  • Artists' books > Italy > Bologna
  • Art and computers
  • Artists' books
  • Characters and characteristics
  • Punched card systems
  • Technology in art
  • Weaving in art
Genre/Form
  • Pictorial works.
  • Specimens.
  • Artists' books.
  • Artists' books – Italy – Bologna.
  • Artists' books – 2013.
Note
  • The title is printed in English words and as ones and zeros.
  • 91 cards are arranged in a canvas-covered portfolio, that opens to a 45 degree angle. Issued in an acrylic case.
  • "The eight linen bookbinding threads allowing the cover to open and close echo the eight-character bit strings of binary code used to write the title on the cover, and the eight sections of La Comédie Humaine. The faux terracotta antique Roman loom weights dangling from the threads, together with the canvas cover printed in gold, summon up Balzac, the fervid collector of art and antiquities, writing through the night in his white cashmere monk's robe tied with a gold Venetian belt"--Colophon.
  • An edition of 33 copies.
Call Number
Spencer Coll. Ital. 2013 22-534
LCCN
2022656152
OCLC
1296488191
Author
Lorenz, Angela, book artist.
Title
Balzaculator : La comédie humaine as a binary system for Balzacolytes / by A.S. Lorenz.
Publisher
[Bologna, Italy] : Angela Lorenz, [2013]
Copyright Date
©2013
Type of Content
text
still image
Type of Medium
unmediated
Type of Carrier
volume
sheet
Local Note
Spencer Coll. copy is no. 31, signed and numbered in pencil by the artist.
Place of Publication
Italy Bologna
Added Author
Artists' Books Collection (Library of Congress) DLC
Research Call Number
Spencer Coll. Ital. 2013 22-534
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