Painting the Screen with Code: Using CSS Art to uncover the embedded gendered ideologies in the technological practices of Coding and Software

Abstract

Coding art is a technological artistic practice in which artworks are created through writing and simulating code. The phenomena sheds light on the myth of code being a neutral executer and highlights its masculine gendered language structures. My research looks at the patterns and underlying structure of coding art from a cultural perspective, mapping the position of the female in the technological and artistic realm and creating a new space. The research focuses on the Case study PureCSS Lace by Diana Smith. The examination of PureCSS Lace dispels the myth of the accuracy of code and showcases a glimpse of creativity and freedom. The analysis consists of two parts: the source code analysis and the formal analysis. The combination of these analyses reveal the intrinsic connection between the code, the art and the software. Through using creative commands, the artist highlights the manipulability and performativity of code. Additionally, the browsers simulation of the code reveals the location of the slippage of control, which takes place between the connection of software and the code. This breaks down the masculine technological notion of command and control and highlights the femininity and poetic aspect of code. Through the coining of the term female executability, a space is manifested that gives power to female creators and artworks and reflects the cultural aspect of this progress and hints to future female developments.