# Time the Magician

> creative work by Hazel Smith, Roger Dean

**Wikidata**: [Q132221455](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132221455)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/time-the-magician

## Summary
Time the Magician is a digital poetry work created by Hazel Smith and Roger Dean, published in 2005. It combines literary art with interactive software, leveraging programming languages like Max and GNU Jitter. The piece explores the intersection of technology and poetry through its unique digital format.

## Key Facts
- **Authors**: Hazel Smith and Roger Dean.
- **Publication Date**: 2005.
- **Genre**: Digital poetry.
- **Programming Languages**: Developed using GNU Jitter and Max (programming language).
- **Distribution Formats**: Accessible via web page and optical disc.
- **Publication Venue**: Featured in an academic journal.
- **ELMCIP ID**: 16145 (a digital art and poetry catalog identifier).

## FAQs
### Q: Who created Time the Magician?
A: It was co-authored by Hazel Smith and Roger Dean, blending literary and technical expertise.

### Q: When was Time the Magician published?
A: The work was released in 2005, reflecting early 21st-century experiments in digital art.

### Q: What technologies were used to create it?
A: The piece utilizes the Max programming language and GNU Jitter, emphasizing its interactive and multimedia nature.

## Why It Matters
Time the Magician is significant as an early example of digital poetry that merges code, interactivity, and literary expression. By using programming languages like Max and GNU Jitter, the work pushes the boundaries of traditional poetry into the realm of software art. Its publication in an academic journal underscores its intellectual rigor and contribution to discussions about the future of literary forms. The project highlights the creative potential of technology, offering a model for artists interested in cross-disciplinary experimentation. As a blend of application, performance, and poetry, it challenges conventional notions of art and literature, making it a notable entry in the canon of electronic literature.

## Notable For
- **Interactive Design**: Functions as both a software application and a performance piece, engaging users dynamically.
- **Technical Innovation**: One of the first poetic works to integrate the Max programming language and GNU Jitter.
- **Academic Recognition**: Published in a scholarly journal, bridging art and academic discourse.
- **Multimedia Format**: Released on optical disc and web platforms, ensuring accessibility across early 2000s digital environments.

## Body
### Creation and Concept
Time the Magician was developed by poet Hazel Smith and media artist Roger Dean, combining their expertise in literature and digital arts. The work exemplifies digital poetry, a genre that uses computational tools to reimagine textual expression.

### Technical Specifications
- **Programming Languages**: Built with Max (a visual programming language for multimedia) and GNU Jitter (a tool for real-time audio/visual processing).
- **Functionality**: Operates as an interactive application, allowing user engagement beyond static text.
- **Distribution**: Initially shared via optical disc and web platforms, reflecting distribution practices of the mid-2000s.

### Publication and Reception
- **Academic Context**: Published in a peer-reviewed journal, emphasizing its conceptual and technical contributions to digital humanities.
- **ELMCIP Recognition**: Cataloged in the Electronic Literature as a Model of Creativity and Innovation in Practice (ELMCIP) database under ID 16145, solidifying its status in electronic literature archives.

### Artistic Significance
The piece demonstrates how code can serve as a medium for poetic expression, influencing later artists to explore algorithmic and interactive storytelling. Its use of open-source tools like GNU Jitter also aligns with early 2000s trends in digital art that prioritized accessibility and collaboration.