In his talk, Casey Reas explores the theme of order and chaos in art, emphasizing the role of randomness in creative processes. He also focuses on the notion of “controlled randomness” , where artists establish specific rules and parameters within code, allowing for unexpected outcomes while maintaining the overall coherence.
First of all, I really enjoyed listening to Reas’ talk. I appreciated the way he showcased his work and explained his philosophy on creativity and art. Reflecting on his insights, I aimed to incorporate the concept of controlled randomness in my most recent p5.js sketch, which I titled randomness. The overall structure of the artwork is straightforward—featuring a 10×10 grid of circles. However, the element of controlled randomness comes into play when the user interacts with the piece. Each time the user clicks on the canvas, the circles in the grid change in shape and size, creating a dynamic balance between order and unpredictability. While users can grasp the overall structure, every interaction (mouse click) generates a unique and evolving pattern. I wouldn’t go so far as to claim that my artwork revolutionizes the concept of generative art, but I believe it is an engaging and enjoyable piece to explore.
That being said, Reas’ perspective on art and the creative process encourages me to explore the potential of chance in my work. With every new p5.js sketch I create, I will keep the notion of “controlled randomness” in mind.