Month: February 2024

What defines art? Since the rise of technology and digital world, the art world is gradually shifted from classical arts, the unchangeable details imprint on physical paper, to the digital art pieces, in which the picture is generated by various algorithms. Throughout the talk, Casey Raes displays examples of different art pieces that are made from randomized algorithms. However, this raises the question whether the randomized algorithm creates a unique artwork since the details are generated and produced a different texture. In other words, it is important to understand the line that distinguishes a new art piece.

As in the talk, a single algorithm can produce different behavior and artistic presentation. For example, in one of the scenes, with the same algorithm that is repeatedly re-compiled, the details are output in different angles, shapes and colors. However, it remains obvious that the art pieces are made from the same algorithm because their style and texture combinations stay the same. Therefore, while it is fascinating that the art piece will change with time and space, it seems to me that the algorithm is the one defines digital art. This is because the algorithm controls how the details in the artwork react with each other. Hence, it makes more sense to identify with the constructed algorithm than the randomized display.

going back to the first assignment, creating a portrait of an alien with stars popping in the back of the head. I took the starry night background and tried to enhance it so i can create an artwork pulling it out from the first assignment.  At the beginning I tried to make it animated and the stars move horizontally in the canvas but It was challenging for me and faced a lot of errors. but I thought of making it still within the canvas and give it a twinkle effect, by the help of a youtube video, I was able to create the starry night and the twinkle effect. I faced a challenge with the format of the canvas that if I add 44 to the width it doesn’t fully appear on the web, even with the previous assignment. 

let stars = [];
let numStars = 200; 

function setup() {
  createCanvas(800, 644);
  for (let i = 0; i < numStars; i++) {
    stars.push(new Star()); // Create and add stars 
  }
}

function draw() {
  background(18, 18, 30); // dark blue sky
  stars.forEach(star => {
    star.twinkle(); // Update star properties for twinkle effect
    star.move(); // Move the star slightly
    star.show(); // Display the star
  });
}

class Star {
  constructor() {
    this.x = random(width);
    this.y = random(height);
    this.size = random(0.25, 3);
    this.brightness = random(150, 255);
  }
  
  move() {
   
    this.x += random(-1, 1);
    this.y += random(-1, 1);
    // Keep stars in canvas
    this.x = constrain(this.x, 0, width);
    this.y = constrain(this.y, 0, height);
  }
  
  twinkle() {
    // twinkling
    this.size = random(0.25, 3);
    this.brightness = random(150, 255);
  }
  
  show() {
    noStroke();
    fill(this.brightness);
    circle(this.x, this.y, this.size);
  }
}

Reflection:

I found this assignment very helpful in terms of pulling something I built before and enhancing it to become a new artwork and apply the new things we learnt in class is an effective way of learning.

In week 2, we learned loops. I wanted to take that further by introducing them to my animated art in Processing.

I used random to create a rainbow effect for the elements, while the waves were generated using loops. Similarly, the tiles are also generated using loops, while the colors are randomized for each tile, hence creating this gradient-ish effect.

For this assignment, I really wanted to get myself familiar with the way P5 draws each frame. To quote, I think I should simplify the codes and be creative with the limited tools I have rather than going over the top. Basically, I am opting by using optical illusions to create the art shown.

Here are the codes I used for the art:

var x;
var y;
var changeDirection;


function setup() {
  createCanvas(600, 600);
  frameRate(6);
  y = 300;
  changeDirection = false;
}

function draw() {
  background(0);

  //loop for tile grids
  for (let x = 0; x < width; x += 50) {
    for (let y = 0; y < height; y += 50) {
      noFill();
      strokeWeight(1);
      stroke(random(255));
      rect(x, y, 50, 50);
    }
  }

  stroke(255);
  strokeWeight(5);
  //loop for the rainbow waves rectangles
  for (let x = 0; x < width; x += 50) {
    fill(random(100, 255), random(1, 200), random(50, 100));
    rect(x, 0, 50, random(150), 0, 0, 20, 20);
    rect(x, 600, 50, random(-150), 0, 0, 20, 20);
  }

  //text
  textAlign(CENTER, CENTER);
  textSize(48);
  fill(255);
  stroke(0);
  strokeWeight(4);
  fill(random(100, 255), random(1, 200), random(50, 100));
  text("Synthwaves", width / 2 + 5, y + 5);
  fill(255);
  text("Synthwaves", width / 2, y);
  fill(180);
  text("Synthwaves", width / 2 - 5, y - 5);
  
  //If - Else statement to change text direction
  if(y>320){
        changeDirection=true
  }
  else if (y<=270){
      changeDirection=false
  }

  if (y>=0 && changeDirection == false){
      y=y+5
  }

  else if(changeDirection == true){
      y=y-5
  }

  
  

}

Watching Casey Reas at Eyeo2012 unfold the layers of complexity within generative art, particularly through the lens of randomness, was a revelation that challenged my preconceived notions about the nature of creativity and the binary between order and chaos. His discourse on the implementation of randomness to generate art that is ever-evolving and unique each time it’s created stirred a deep curiosity in me about the essence of creativity itself. Is creativity a structured process governed by predefined rules, or does it thrive in the absence of constraints, propelled by the unpredictable forces of randomness?

The aspect that struck me most was the paradox of controlled randomness. The idea that an artist can set parameters within which randomness operates, guiding chaos towards a form of order, resonates with me on a philosophical level. It prompts a reflection on how much of our lives are governed by the illusion of control. We navigate through our existence setting boundaries, creating rules, and forming patterns, yet the most profound moments often arise from the unexpected, from the serendipitous collisions of chance.

Reas’s exploration of randomness as a tool for artistic creation also led me to ponder the intrinsic nature of human perception. How does the introduction of randomness affect our interpretation of art? The concept that a single piece of generative art can evoke a myriad of interpretations based on the viewer’s personal experiences and biases underscores the subjective nature of art and perception. It’s fascinating to consider that what we see in a piece of art is not just a reflection of the artist’s intent but a mirror of our own psyche, shaped by the random accumulation of our life experiences.

Moreover, the dialogue between order and chaos, as presented by Reas, challenges the traditional boundaries of art. It suggests that beauty and meaning can emerge from the most unexpected places, blurring the lines between the deliberate and the accidental. This approach to creating art not only expands the artistic lexicon but also offers a metaphor for embracing the unpredictability of life itself. It’s a reminder that amidst the chaos of existence, there are patterns, rhythms, and a form of order that we might not understand yet but can appreciate for their aesthetic and existential significance.

Casey Reas’s talk was a profound journey into the heart of what it means to create and perceive art in the digital age. It was a call to embrace the unpredictable, to find beauty in the randomness, and to reconsider our notions of order and chaos. This exploration has ignited a desire in me to delve deeper into the realm of generative art, to understand not just the mechanics but the philosophy behind using randomness as a medium for creativity.

It was something new for me to dive into how art projects are more than just what meets the eye, especially when Casey Reas explored the theme of randomness. I found it quite interesting to see how a simple tweak in shapes and algorithms can transform art in unexpected ways, that create something new each time.

This got me thinking—why do we use art to reflect the randomness around us, or in creating randomness, is it ever purely random? Or we just choose how much of it we truly want to be random. This whole idea makes me curious to think deeper about the intention behind art and the unpredictability it represents. Because for me randomness seems like a paradox, despite our efforts to control or understand it.

Concept:
I wanted to create an animated visual effect this time. I was trying to represent the fluid nature of water and fishes by capturing the randomness. I have used HSB color mode for vibrant, holographic colors of the small circles that represent the fishes. The program generates 1000 points with random positions, sizes, colors, and movement angles. Each frame, draws these points as ellipses, creating a trail effect with a semi-transparent background. Points move based on their angles, occasionally changing direction, and wrap around the canvas edges. The color of each point gradually changes, creating a dynamic display.

Code:

let pointCount = 1000;
let shapes = [];

function setup() {
  createCanvas(600, 600);
  colorMode(HSB, 255); // Use HSB color mode for the holographic effect
  noStroke();

  // Create initial points with random positions and properties
  for (let i = 0; i < pointCount; i++) {
    shapes.push({
      position: createVector(random(width), random(height)),
      size: random(1, 5),
      color: color(random(255), 200, 255, 100), // Holographic color with some transparency
      angle: random(TWO_PI),
      speed: random(0.005, 0.03), // Speed of change
    });
  }
}

function draw() {
  background(0, 0, 0, 25); // Semi-transparent background for a trail effect

  // Draw each point and update properties
  shapes.forEach((shape) => {
    fill(shape.color);
    ellipse(shape.position.x, shape.position.y, shape.size);

    // Update position
    shape.position.x += cos(shape.angle) * 2;
    shape.position.y += sin(shape.angle) * 2;

    // Randomly change the movement angle
    if (random(1) < 0.05) {
      shape.angle += random(-0.5, 0.5);
    }

    // Wrap around the edges of the canvas
    if (shape.position.x > width) shape.position.x = 0;
    if (shape.position.x < 0) shape.position.x = width;
    if (shape.position.y > height) shape.position.y = 0;
    if (shape.position.y < 0) shape.position.y = height;

    // Update color
    shape.color = color(frameCount % 255, 200, 255, 100);
  });
}

Embedded Version:

Reflection and Improvement:

I am happy that it finally worked in the end because I was having a hard time wrapping around the edges of the canvas. In the future, I would like to ensure that the randomness is affected by the user interaction through the mouse or keyboard. Maybe also integrate some shapes, so that the small circles are affected by them and then place them in a transparent grid.

The talk Casey Reas gave on the role of chance in art sparked my curiosity around the human perception of randomness. Throughout various exhibits, Reas showed how order can emerge from chaos and the value of ordered randomness. I think that one of the major factors that contribute to the appeal of these artworks to us is our brain’s urge to find patterns everywhere. The ordered-chaos artworks defy our brains ability to interpret the image so easily, but also invite the brain to try and seek as much information and patterns as possible. Therefore, the key to creating chaotic but attractive artworks is to embed a clever interplay between order and randomness and let our brains wander in the presumed chaos and work our way to understanding the artwork, while not confusing us or, in contrast, letting our minds get lazy by providing works that are easy to decode.

When I think about ordered chaos I always remember fireflies. When fireflies are in a group together on a tree, initially they blink in a chaotic order. However, due to an algorithm determined by mathematics, they synchronize into a massive, uniform ball of light, blinking together in constant intervals. There is more order in chaos than we think, and there is more chaos in order than we could imagine, but the most important takeaway for me was that the balance between the two can be infinitely beautiful.