Heksler LiteraturSchweiz Encyclopaedizer

Encyclopaedizer is a collaborative dictionary. It consists of three parts, an Internet platform, an exhibition interface, and a printed dictionary. The core (part) of Encyclopaedizer is an engine that transforms multimedia content from the Internet into dictionary entries. This combination of content – text and images – produces new and exciting results. The website “encyclopaedizer.net” is a knowledge bot and a dictionary at the same time. All terms that ever have been defined by users are stored in Encyclopaedizer’s database.

The printed dictionary is the analogue counterpart to the digital archive. Every edition of this dictionary is unique and represents a snapshot from the life of Encyclopaedizer. The printed dictionary is dedicated to the individual user. It contains the selected terms and definitions, a section portraying the Encyclopaedizer exhibitions, details of the project and statistical data on the entries. The generated book was assigned with the «Most Beautiful Books» Award 2006. You can order it online in the shop.

Statistics: World map of retrieved content

The Installation

Internet-based access allowed users from anywhere in the world to interact with the local exibition The local installation consisted of eight TV screens, placed in the main gallery. The screens were interconnected and attached to Encyclopaedizer’s online storage system, located on a web server. Visitors to the exhibition were able to enter terms and definitions on a keyboard. These dictionary entries moved from one TV to the next to finally disappear in cyberspace.

 

  • Concept
    Urs Hofer
    Adi Blum
    Beat Mazenauer
  • Coding
    Michael Schnyder
    Urs Hofer
  • Design and Scenography
    Rafael Koch
    Andreas Hertach
    Anna Luchs 
  • Support
    Stadt und Kanton Luzern
    Société Suisse des Auteurs
    Digitallogic AG
    Institut für digitale Kunst