# A potential polyphony

> creative work by Henk van der Waal

**Wikidata**: [Q132198954](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132198954)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-potential-polyphony

## Summary
"A potential polyphony" is a work of electronic literature and digital poetry created by Henk van der Waal and Jaap de Jonge. Published in 2010, this creative application functions as a web-based performance piece accessible in both Dutch and English. It utilizes Adobe Flash and PHP technologies to deliver its content through an online art gallery format.

## Key Facts
- **Authors:** Henk van der Waal and Jaap de Jonge.
- **Publication Date:** 2010.
- **Genre:** Electronic literature and digital poetry.
- **Instance of:** Creative work, performance, and application (software).
- **Software Engine:** Adobe Flash.
- **Programming Language:** PHP.
- **Distribution Format:** Web page.
- **Languages:** Dutch and English.
- **Platform:** Published via social networking services and online art galleries.
- **Identifiers:** ELMCIP ID 11816.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created "A potential polyphony"?
A: The work was authored by Henk van der Waal and Jaap de Jonge. It is classified as a creative work within the field of electronic literature.

### Q: What technologies were used to build "A potential polyphony"?
A: The project was built using the PHP scripting language and relies on Adobe Flash as its software engine. It is distributed as a web page.

### Q: When was "A potential polyphony" released?
A: The work was published in 2010. It appeared on social networking services and online art galleries.

### Q: What type of content is "A potential polyphony"?
A: It is a piece of digital poetry and electronic literature that functions simultaneously as a creative work, a software application, and a performance.

## Why It Matters
"A potential polyphony" serves as a distinct example of the intersection between software development and literary arts during the early 2010s. By defining itself as both a "performance" and an "application," it highlights the evolution of reading into an interactive, software-mediated experience. The work is significant for its bilingual accessibility (Dutch and English) and its utilization of PHP and Flash, representing a specific era of web-based creativity often referred to as the "net art" or "Flash poetry" movement.

The inclusion of multiple authors—Henk van der Waal and Jaap de Jonge—also emphasizes the collaborative nature often required in producing electronic literature, where technical programming skills (PHP) must merge with creative vision. Its listing in academic databases (referenced by ELMCIP ID 11816) confirms its recognition as a notable contribution to the digital humanities and the history of web-based art.

## Notable For
- **Hybrid Classification:** Uniquely categorized as a creative work, a software application, and a performance simultaneously.
- **Bilingual Accessibility:** Offers content in both Dutch and English.
- **Specific Tech Stack:** Utilizes a combination of PHP (server-side logic) and Adobe Flash (client-side multimedia).
- **Collaborative Authorship:** Created by a partnership between Henk van der Waal and Jaap de Jonge.

## Body
### Overview and Authorship
"A potential polyphony" is a digital creative work authored by Henk van der Waal and Jaap de Jonge. Released in 2010, the project is recognized in academic circles, specifically within the Electronic Literature as a Model of Creativity and Innovation in Practice (ELMCIP) knowledge base, where it holds the ID 11816. The work is described as a creative performance and application, distributed via web pages and online art galleries.

### Technical Specifications
The application relies on specific web technologies characteristic of the early 2010s web environment.
*   **Software Engine:** The work is powered by Adobe Flash, a platform standard at the time for multimedia and interactive graphics.
*   **Programming Language:** It utilizes PHP, a server-side scripting language designed for web development.
*   **Format:** It is distributed as a web page, intended to be accessed through a browser.

### Genre and Classification
The work falls under the genre of **electronic literature** and **digital poetry**. It distinguishes itself by its classification as an "application," suggesting that the software itself is inextricable from the artistic message. Unlike static text, this work functions as a performance, likely requiring user interaction or automated progression to be realized. The content is available in both Dutch and English, broadening its accessibility to international audiences.