In this conversation, Pixel Symphony explores 'Conceits' with the artist onekmonk, where poetry intertwines generative art, articulated through the simplicity and versatility of Unicode characters. onekmonk reveals how each poem, set against a dynamic visual scene, invites a more prolonged contemplation than typical literary or visual art forms. They discuss the project's inception, the challenges of integrating code with poetic expression, and the nuanced ways in which the audience is invited to interact with 'Conceits'.
The fusion of visual art and poetry creates a unique canvas for expression. Could you explain the foundational concept behind integrating these two forms, especially using something as ubiquitous yet versatile as Unicode characters?
'Conceits' is a concrete poetry chapbook that wants to be an illuminated manuscript. Each page is a poem set against a visual backdrop. The composition is rendered using only plain text Unicode characters. Each poem was once a thought or a dream and each visual setting is procedurally generated and algorithmically animated. The theme that connects all the works is also the title of the series: Conceits - illusions, delusions, aspirations, hypotheticals, counterfactuals and their ilk.