The Algorithm Auction

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{{Auction}}

The Algorithm Auction is the world's first auction of computer algorithms.{{cite web|title=The Algorithm Auction|url=https://www.artsy.net/feature/the-algorithm-auction|website=Artsy|publisher=Artsy|accessdate=22 April 2015}} Created by Ruse Laboratories, the initial auction featured seven lots and was held at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on March 27, 2015.{{cite magazine|last1=Turner|first1=Zeke|title=Beautiful Code|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/30/beautiful-code|magazine=The New Yorker|date=23 March 2015|publisher=Condé Nast|accessdate=22 April 2015}}

Five lots were physical representations of famous code or algorithms, including a signed, handwritten copy of the original Hello, World! C program by its creator Brian Kernighan on dot-matrix printer paper, a printed copy of 5,000 lines of Assembly code comprising the earliest known version of Turtle Graphics, signed by its creator Hal Abelson, a necktie containing the six-line qrpff algorithm capable of decrypting content on a commercially produced DVD video disc, and a pair of drawings representing OkCupid's original Compatibility Calculation algorithm, signed by the company founders.{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Phil|title=Coming to an art gallery near you: Software code|url=http://www.itworld.com/article/2906455/coming-to-an-art-gallery-near-you-software-code.html|website=ITworld|publisher=IDG Enterprise|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193707/http://www.itworld.com/article/2906455/coming-to-an-art-gallery-near-you-software-code.html|accessdate=22 April 2015|archive-date=2016-03-04}} The qrpff lot sold for $2,500.{{cite news|last1=Hotz|first1=Robert Lee|title=What's Hot in the Art World? Algorithms|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-hot-in-the-art-world-algorithms-1432687554|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=27 May 2015|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|accessdate=19 June 2015}}

Two other lots were “living algorithms,” including a set of JavaScript tools for building applications that are accessible to the visually impaired and the other is for a program that converts lines of software code into music.{{cite magazine|last1=Stinson|first1=Liz|title=The First Auction for Algorithms Is Attracting $1,000 Bids|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/03/meet-thousand-dollar-algorithms-auction/|magazine=Wired|publisher=Condé Nast|accessdate=22 April 2015}} Winning bidders received, along with artifacts related to the algorithms, a full intellectual property license to use, modify, or open-source the code.{{cite web|title=Anthony Ferraro {{ndash}} Hypothetical Beats|url=https://www.artsy.net/artwork/anthony-ferraro-hypothetical-beats|website=Artsy|publisher=Artsy|accessdate=22 April 2015}} All lots were sold, with Hello World receiving the most bids.{{cite web|last1=Spilka|first1=Simone|title=Algorithm Auction Proves Code is Art|url=http://www.psfk.com/2015/03/artsy-algorithm-auction-artsy-code-is-art.html|website=PSFK|date=27 March 2015|accessdate=22 April 2015}}

Exhibited alongside the auction lots were a facsimile of the Plimpton 322 tablet on loan from Columbia University, and Nigella, an art-world facing computer virus named after Nigella Lawson and created by cypherpunk and hacktivist Richard Jones.{{cite web|title=The Algorithm Auction Press Release|url=https://www.artsy.net/article/ruse-laboratories-the-algorithm-auction-press-release|website=Artsy|date=19 March 2015|publisher=Ruse Laboratories|accessdate=22 April 2015}}

Sebastian Chan, Director of Digital & Emerging Media at the Cooper–Hewitt,{{cite web|last1=simonsc|title=Meet the Staff: Sebastian Chan|url=http://www.cooperhewitt.org/2013/09/09/meet-the-staff-sebastian-chan/|website=Cooper Hewitt|date=9 September 2013|publisher=Smithsonian|accessdate=22 April 2015}} attended the event remotely from Milan, Italy via a Beam Pro telepresence robot.{{cite web|title=Beam Pro Robot-mosphere|url=http://bfa.com/people/beampro-robot-mosphere|website=BFA|accessdate=22 April 2015}}