'As Long As Possible' GIF Set to Last 1,000 Years

Despite its hyperactive visual simplicity, the GIF is an interesting fusion of short bursts of time nestled inside an infinite loop. In As Long As Possible (ASLAP), Juha van Ingen and Janne Särkelä blow the GIF’s loop out to 1,000 years and 48,140,288 frames, more than living up to what the pair call their “ultimate long-term digital artwork.”

For the visuals, van Ingen opted for black frames with a white number indicating the frame’s position in the 1,000-year loop. These frames change at 10-minute intervals.

On the ASLAP website, van Ingan notes that the project is an homage to John Cage’s 1987 ORGAN2/ASLSP, a composition featuring Halberstad organs played over 625 years. In particular, van Ingen was inspired by Cage’s instruction to performers, “ASLP,” which stood for “As SLow aS Possible.” If this rule were observed, the first note would actually be played forever.

“As humans' capability to comprehend eternity is limited, it is easier understand the dimensions of a composition lasting hundreds of years than something playing for ever,” van Ingen says. “Also in As Long As Possible the progress is made visible through viewing the whole piece is impossible.”

The ASLAP installation was exhibited at the FISH Gallery in Helsinki, Finland from September 10th to the 20th. But the official start to its 1,000-year loop doesn’t begin until 2017 on the 30th birthday of the GIF, which also happens to be Finland’s Centennial of Independence. On 3017, the ASLAP loop will start anew—assuming any humans are still around to see it.

Via Co.Design

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