Seeing Heritage Algorithms
A community workshop on the computational thinking inherent to Indigenous artifacts and practices
Seeing Heritage Algorithms is a community-based workshop that gives youth and adults access to the heritage algorithms inherent to cornrow braiding, quilting, Adinkra stamping, and other cultural practices. Heritage algorithms refer to the computational thinking inherent to the cultural artifacts and practices of Indigenous and vernacular artisans. First, participants learn the history of the cultural artifact; then, they simulate the cultural artifact using a visual programming language. Finally, they render physical art inspired by the simulation. The physical art can take form as applique quilt blocks, paper-cut graphic art, graphic prints, 3D mannequin heads, and other two- and three-dimensional forms.