They say truth comes from the observation of nature.

A few months ago I was in Atlanta at the High Art Museum. Almost every exhibit was though provoking. They had an extensive collection of sculptures. As I admired the detailed work and obvious patience of the the people who created the pieces I started thinking of software.

I was viewing some fantastic work. Work that has stood the test of time, albeit with a few updates for preservation. Wouldn’t it be great it all software (and the abstractions it evolves towards) could have the qualities of these sculptures?

Think about it.

• The attention to detail.
• The longevity.
• The specific purpose.

The foundation the bust lays upon is could be used for other things but it’s used for just this one piece.

The foundation describes the piece that rests upon it.

Clear and simple documentation in this title. “A Libyan Girl”. A simple title.

There is no confusion as to what is going on with this sculpture. The expression is timeless and instantly recognizable. The gaze of the woman and the dagger means the same thing in all cultures.

Shortcuts cannot be taken for anything a patron (or user) sees.

Sculptures are often elevated to give a sense of authority…they feel a bit inorganic but reliable.

You have all types of styles and compositions: English porcelain ceramics, wood block paints, marble sculpting, etc. This is similar to scripting, functional, object oriented, etc.

I’ve always seen software as the most modern art form. Why? You get instance scalability of your ideas.