# [phage]

> creative work by Mary Flanagan

**Wikidata**: [Q132199876](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132199876)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/phage-q132199876

## Summary
Phage is a creative work and software application developed by Mary Flanagan in 2000. It represents an intersection of art and technology, designed as an interactive digital project. As a software program, it exemplifies early experimentation with creative applications in the digital arts.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Mary Flanagan.
- **Publication Date**: 2000.
- **Classification**: Instance of both a "creative work" and "application" (software program for end-users).
- **ELMCIP ID**: 7431 (a unique identifier in the ELMCIP database).
- **Language**: English.
- **Type**: Functions as a software program, blending artistic and technical elements.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created Phage?
A: Phage was created by Mary Flanagan, a notable artist and scholar in the field of digital and interactive art.

### Q: When was Phage published?
A: Phage was published in the year 2000, marking it as an early example of digital creative works from that era.

### Q: What is Phage categorized as?
A: Phage is categorized as both a "creative work" and an "application," reflecting its dual nature as an artistic project and functional software.

## Why It Matters
Phage is significant as an early example of interactive digital art that merges creative expression with software development. Created in 2000, it emerged during a period of rapid growth in new media art, where artists began leveraging digital platforms to explore new forms of engagement. As a work by Mary Flanagan—a pioneering figure in interactive and feminist digital art—Phage contributes to discussions about the role of technology in artistic practice. It highlights the potential of software as a medium for creative experimentation, challenging traditional boundaries between art, design, and programming. For researchers and artists, Phage serves as a reference point for understanding the evolution of digital art and the innovative use of applications as artistic tools.

## Notable For
- **Early Digital Art**: One of the earlier creative works (2000) to utilize software as a primary medium for artistic expression.
- **Interdisciplinary Approach**: Blends art and technology, reflecting Mary Flanagan’s focus on interactive and new media practices.
- **ELMCIP Recognition**: Included in the ELMCIP (Electronic Literature as a Model of Connective Innovation in Publishing) database, emphasizing its relevance to electronic literature and digital arts.

## Body

### Creation and Context
Phage was authored by Mary Flanagan and published in 2000. It is classified as a "creative work" and an "application," indicating its dual identity as both an artistic project and a functional software program. The work is tied to Flanagan’s broader practice, which often explores themes of interactivity, gender, and technology.

### Technical and Cultural Significance
- **Software as Art**: As an application, Phage demonstrates how software can serve as a medium for artistic innovation, aligning with early 2000s trends in new media art.
- **ELMCIP ID**: Its inclusion in the ELMCIP database (ID: 7431) underscores its recognition within scholarly and artistic communities focused on electronic literature and digital creativity.
- **Language and Accessibility**: Developed in English, Phage reflects the global reach of digital art while maintaining accessibility for Anglophone audiences.

### Historical Placement
The publication of Phage in 2000 situates it within a pivotal moment in the development of digital arts. During this period, artists increasingly adopted software tools and internet platforms to create immersive, interactive experiences. Flanagan’s work, including Phage, contributed to this movement by prioritizing user engagement and critical reflection on technological systems.