
Steven Schmidt
76.2 x 76.2 cm
Fortran Phosgene explores the tension between technological
precision and the unsettling force of unpredictability. The title evokes the
intersection of the methodical, calculated logic of the early Fortran computer
programming language and the dangerous volatility of phosgene gas, a toxic
agent used during the first World War, symbolizing the potentially perilous
outcomes of scientific advancement.
Fortran Phosgene creates an atmosphere of mystery and
volatile energy, mirroring the unpredictable nature of human innovation and its
consequences. The work encourages viewers to reflect on the dualities of
progress, where innovation coexists with risk, and structure collides with
chaos.