Connecting Frames: Beyond 88 Constellations

„88 Constellations for Wittgenstein (to be played with the Left Hand)“ is an interactive, non-linear website where 88 interconnected videos made up of collaged animations allow visitors to discover the life and thinking of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein in an associative, fragmented way. The viewer is drawn in via a star map with the 88 constellations of the night sky, on which each video, as a constellation, opens up new paths to other connections, creating new perspectives and associations through combination. At the same time, the animations allow for interaction by using the keyboard with the left hand. The net art piece explores Wittgenstein’s philosophy and dives into the universe of logic, language, and thought, questioning the limits of knowledge.

The following video essay shows excerpts from the artwork by the media artist David Clark – created with Flash. It delves into the thinking and work of David Clark, intertwining with the ideas of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein—following the theme of the artwork. A website that doesn’t look like Flash, yet at the same time explores the limits of Flash as a Flash masterpiece. Something between a film and a website—the interface of the question of what made Flash interesting for artists and designers.

What was Flash? What space did the internet open up? How does a website capture the attention and curiosity of the navigator? What happens to works of art when the medium on which they exist disappears? What does archiving mean?