--- title: "Works" description: "Joe Karlsson's art, software and hardware: selected works, an artist statement and ten years of projects by era." url: https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/ --- [Selected works · 1 of 3 Punc →](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/punc/) I make art with code, paint and hardware, for the space between artists and engineers. # Works ## Selected works [2016 Punc What a book looks like without words.](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/punc/) · [2015 Bechdel.io Does your favorite movie pass the Bechdel Test?](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/bechdel-io/) · [2026 Connect AI × DOOM Doom built from live business data, where every monster is a real record.](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/connect-ai-doom/) ## Artist statement The early web was full of people who hosted their own sites, linked to each other and gave away what they knew. [Olia Lialina called it the vernacular web](https://art.teleportacia.org/observation/vernacular/): homemade pages, built by amateurs for each other. I think money crushed most of it, and what people picture when they hear "tech" now is what came after: startups, crypto and AI, each with a plan to make money. I host this site myself, on my own hardware, because that early web is still what I love about the medium. Code is easy to share, it bends into almost any shape, and almost nothing made with it lasts. I love that, even though I just rebuilt three of my old apps after they died on Heroku. Some ideas only work on the web. [linger](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/linger/) is a set of poems that fill in only if you scroll slowly, because a page knows how fast you're reading and paper doesn't. A lot of my work isn't code at all. I've started painting, mostly subconscious scribbling and color field work, and it's where I chase what I'm drawn to most: the strange, the surreal and the unexplained. Every scribble on this site started as one of those drawings. Now that AI can generate almost anything, I think a person's hand and taste are the most important things they have to offer. In 1959, [C. P. Snow warned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Two_Cultures) that scientists and literary intellectuals had split into two cultures that could barely talk to each other. Plenty of artists still find code and math scary, and plenty of engineers think the humanities are a waste of time. I want each of them to see what's on the other side, and to come away wanting to make something, whether it's a painting, a web page or a piece of hardware. Most of all, I want people to leave a little freer of the idea that everything they make has to earn money. ## 2026–2027 Data, objects and the homelab [DVD Screensaver](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/nothing-but-corners/): With the boring parts taken out. 2026 · JavaScript, Canvas, Web Audio [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/nothing-but-corners/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/nothing-but-corners) · [Demo](https://corners.joekarlsson.com/) [PixelPane](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/pixelpane/): A 32x32 LED pixel art frame behind a two-way mirror, driven by a Raspberry Pi. It plays seasonal pixel art, and Home Assistant pushes to it: ON AIR when my camera turns on, the doorbell, the weather. It's open source, and every scene is a plugin. 2026 · Python, Raspberry Pi, LED matrix [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/pixelpane/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/pixelpane) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/pixelpane-pixel-art-home-assistant/) [linger](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/linger/): A small collection of poems that only finish for readers who slow down. Each line starts as a few words floating in white space. Hold still and the blanks fill in. Scroll fast and they drain away again. Plain HTML, CSS, and about a hundred lines of JavaScript, with no analytics and no share button. 2026 · HTML, CSS, JavaScript [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/linger/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/linger) · [Demo](https://linger.joekarlsson.com/poem.html) [Screencast Director](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/screencast-director/): A macOS screen recorder that drafts the edit for me, because editing is the part of video I hate. I talk through a demo once, and it keeps the talking at real time, speeds up the typing, cuts the dead air, zooms on clicks and adds captions. Then I fix it on a timeline or ask an AI model to change it. 2026 · Swift, macOS, ScreenCaptureKit [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/screencast-director/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/screencast-director) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/screencast-director-screen-recorder/) [FollowSpot](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/followspot/): A voice-following teleprompter that runs in the browser and listens with a local whisper.cpp model. Read your script out loud and the highlight follows you, through flubs, skips, and ad-libs. You pick the model, the audio never leaves your machine, and the column centers over the camera lens so nobody can see your eyes reading. I built it because I can't memorize lines. 2026 · JavaScript, whisper.cpp, Whisper [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/followspot/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/followspot) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/followspot-local-whisper-teleprompter/) [Adult Swim Bumper](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/adult-swim-bumper/): A CLI tool for generating \[adult swim\]-style pre-roll bumpers for your personal media server. Define bumpers in YAML, drop in background video clips and music, and render MP4s ready to load into Tunarr. White text cards, fading audio, your server name in brackets at the end - the whole bit. 2026 · Python, ffmpeg, Plex [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/adult-swim-bumper/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/adult-swim-bumper) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/adult-swim-bumpers-plex-pre-rolls/) [Streamroll](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/streamroll/): A Netflix-style intro for your own Plex, Jellyfin or Emby server, made from its name: pick a style, and you get a title card that moves, ready to play before every movie. 2026 · TypeScript, Runway ML, Plex [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/streamroll/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/streamroll) · [Demo](https://streamroll.vercel.app/) [MikroTik Native API Client](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/mikrotik-api-client/): A from-scratch Python implementation of MikroTik's proprietary binary API protocol. Handles variable-length encoding, authentication, and sentence-based messaging for programmatic control of network infrastructure - bonding, DHCP, firewall rules, and more. 2026 · Python, Binary Protocol, MikroTik [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/mikrotik-api-client/) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/implementing-mikrotik-binary-api-protocol-in-python/) [GPU-Accelerated Subtitle Generator](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/gpu-subtitle-generator/): A production subtitle generation pipeline using GPU-accelerated Whisper (faster-whisper) with NVIDIA CUDA. Features parallel workers, automatic language detection and translation, VRAM-aware scheduling, and time-of-day worker scaling to share GPU resources across services. 2026 · Python, Whisper AI, CUDA [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/gpu-subtitle-generator/) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/building-a-gpu-accelerated-subtitle-generator/) ## 2021–2025 The video years I spent most of these years making short videos on TikTok. [3D-Printed Postcard Rack Planter](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/postcard-rack-planter/): A used wire postcard rack, refit with 3D-printed pots I designed in Tinkercad. Each pot drains into the one below, so I water the top and the whole tower gets it. Printed in ABS, and still holding up after three-plus years. 2023 · Tinkercad, Prusa MK3, ABS [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/postcard-rack-planter/) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/from-digital-design-to-real-world-object-creating-a-3d-printed-postcard-planter-rack/) ## 2018–2020 Conference talks and the internet of toilets [Digital Graffiti Wall](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/digital-graffiti-wall/): An interactive art installation where audience members draw on a shared digital canvas that displays their creations in real-time on a physical RGB LED grid. Uses MongoDB Realm for instant cross-client data sync. Since retired and replaced by PixelPane. 2020 · JavaScript, MongoDB Realm, RGB LEDs [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/digital-graffiti-wall/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/digital-graffiti-wall) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/building-a-real-time-digital-graffiti-wall/) [IoT Kitty Litter Box](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/iot-kitty-litter-box/): Welcome to the Internet of Toilets. An IoT-connected cat litter box built with a Raspberry Pi, weight sensors, and Node.js. Monitors usage patterns and sends notifications. 2019 · 25 stars · Raspberry Pi, Node.js, MongoDB [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/iot-kitty-litter-box/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/iot-kitty-litter-box) · [Demo](https://kittylitter.joekarlsson.com/) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/talks/an-introduction-to-iot-internet-of-toilets/) [React Spotify Player](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/react-spotify-player/): A real-time Spotify player built with React. My most starred open source project. Integrates with the Spotify Web API for custom playback. Accompanied a popular tutorial. 2019 · 131 stars · React, Spotify API, JavaScript [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/react-spotify-player/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/react-spotify-player) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/how-to-build-a-spotify-player-with-react-in-15-minutes/) [Best Buy Product Locator](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/best-buy-product-locator/): Two-day shipping too slow for you? A Chrome extension that tells you if the product you're browsing on Amazon, Walmart or Target is at a Best Buy near you for pickup today. 2018 · React, styled-components, Chrome Extension [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/best-buy-product-locator/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/best-buy-product-locator-chrome-extension) [Wave Jump](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/wave-jump/): A race for two people on one keyboard, set on an 80s sunset grid. You both ride a white wave that never stops rolling, and the first one to dive through the checkered gate scores. 2018 · 5 stars · JavaScript, Phaser, Arcade physics [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/wave-jump/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/wave-jump) · [Demo](https://wavejump.joekarlsson.com/) [Movie Script Scraper](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/movie-script-scraper/): A Node CLI and npm package that downloads movie scripts by genre from the Internet Movie Script Database. Tim Kendall started it in 2014; I rewrote it and published it to npm in 2018, and it's where Bechdel.io's scripts came from. 2018 · 14 stars · Node.js, Cheerio, npm [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/movie-script-scraper/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/movie-script-scraper) ## 2015–2017 Humanities questions, answered in code [Rose Hobart](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/rose-hobart/): Joseph Cornell's 1936 collage film, with the tint, the speed and the music back in your hands while it plays. 2017 · 2 stars · Astro, TypeScript, WebGL2 [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/rose-hobart/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/rose-hobart) · [Demo](https://rosehobart.joekarlsson.com/) [GAPTCHA](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/gaptcha/): An augmented reality scavenger hunt. Scan a printed marker and a 3D arrow points you toward a hidden checkpoint. 2017 · Node.js, Express, A-Frame [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/gaptcha/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/GAPTCHA) · [Demo](https://gaptcha.joekarlsson.com/) [Stupid Shit No One In Hawaii Needs and Terrible Ideas Hackathon](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/stupid-hackathon-hawaii/): A one-day hackathon in Honolulu for projects with no value whatsoever. 2017 · HTML, CSS, JavaScript [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/stupid-hackathon-hawaii/) · [Source](https://github.com/STUPIDSHITNOONEINHAWAIINEEDSHACKATHON/STUPIDSHITNOONEINHAWAIINEEDSHACKATHON.github.io) · [Demo](https://stupidshitnooneinhawaiineedshackathon.github.io/) [App-All-O-Gizer](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/app-all-o-gizer/): Schedule apologies to go out once a month, once a week or every day. Never be sorry you weren't sorry again. 2017 · Node.js, Express, Nodemailer [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/app-all-o-gizer/) · [Source](https://github.com/STUPIDSHITNOONEINHAWAIINEEDSHACKATHON/app-all-o-gizer) [PostStream](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/poststream/): A text-only social network with the usual levers taken out: no like counts, no follower counts, no trending topics and no images. 2016 · React, Node.js, Express [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/poststream/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/post-stream) · [Demo](https://poststream.joekarlsson.com/) [Guide to Client-Server Communication](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/complete-guide-to-client-server-communication): Every way a client and server communicate - HTTP, WebSockets, SSE, GraphQL, gRPC, and more. A complete reference guide with examples. 2016 · 43 stars · Node.js, HTTP, WebSockets [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/complete-guide-to-client-server-communication) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/complete-guide-node-client-server-communication/) [Data Structures & Algorithms in JS](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/data-structures): Common data structures and algorithms implemented in JavaScript. Created as teaching material when I was an instructor at DevLeague. Covers linked lists, trees, graphs, sorting, and more. 2016 · 185 stars · JavaScript, Algorithms [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/data-structures) [Go Home Tanuki](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/go-home-tanuki/): A tanuki who works, drinks and goes home, every night. Fly him home through the dark and grab sake on the way. The drunker he gets, the higher you score, and the faster everything comes at you. 2016 · 2 stars · JavaScript, Phaser, Arcade physics [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/go-home-tanuki/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/go-home-tanuki) · [Demo](https://tanuki.joekarlsson.com/) [Night Out](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/night-out/): Vote with your friends on where to go tonight. It finds the bars near you, you pick the ones in the running, and everyone votes from a shared link. 2015 · Meteor, MongoDB, Vite [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/night-out/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/night-out) · [Demo](https://night-out.joekarlsson.com/) [Pixelate](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/pixelate/): A small web app that turns any photo into big square pixels. Pick a photo, drag the slider to set the block size, and save it as a PNG. Nothing gets uploaded. 2015 · 15 stars · JavaScript, HTML5 Canvas [Project page](https://www.joekarlsson.com/work/pixelate/) · [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/Pixelate) · [Demo](https://pixelate.joekarlsson.com/) · [Blog Post](https://www.joekarlsson.com/blog/how-to-pixelate-images-with-html5-and-javascript/) [Python Sudoku Generator & Solver](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/python-sudoku-generator-solver): Generates unique Sudoku boards across 4 difficulty levels with a built-in solver using backtracking. 2015 · 90 stars · Python, Algorithms, Backtracking [Source](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson/python-sudoku-generator-solver) [View all repos on GitHub →](https://github.com/JoeKarlsson)