A Mathematical Theory of Communication

PROJECT OVERVIEW
A Mathematical Theory of Communication is a large-scale, computer generated mural covering two walls near the main atrium of the Gates Dell Complex, home to the Department of Computer Science on The University of Texas at Austin campus. Artist Casey Reas' work bridges the gap between the technical world of programming and the visual world of art and design. Reas is the co-creator of the open-source programming language and software Processing used widely in media art and visual design. Taking its title from Claude Shannon?s The Mathematical Theory of Communication, Reas' visuals were created by generating thousands of images with infinite variations and play with the idea that information circles around us at all times. He captured television signals with an antenna and converted that information into a visual representation of colored line patterns installed on two opposing walls. The result is a mural dancing between pattern and chaos.