David Edward: Infinite Monkey Theorem

A member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, David Edward has always been interested in design, science and technology, an interest he has explored through both his architectural and artistic practices. He enjoys experimenting at the intersection between art and science and this, most recently, has seen him restore an Imperial 80 Typewriter at the start of the pandemic and create this work.

The Infinite Monkey Theorem is an idea that has become part of popular culture in recent years, but Edward’s variation on the theory states that: There is a non-zero chance that a chimp pressing keys randomly on a typewriter will create a portrait of himself using the words of Shakespeare.