I think humans are really fascinating because we’re full of contradictions. We long for order; familiar, predictable, structured patterns in our lives. But at the same time, we crave chaos; the unfamiliar, the unexpected, the little bit of disruption that shakes us out of routine. A very obvious example is how much we rely on having a daily routine. Most of us feel disoriented without some kind of order: a set time to wake up, a rhythm to our workday, the same coffee order every morning. Especially now, when distractions are just a notification away, that structure is often the only thing that keeps us grounded. But then, almost paradoxically, there comes a point where too much order starts to feel suffocating, and we search for a dose of chaos. That’s why vacations, spontaneous trips, or even small detours from our daily habits feel so refreshing. What’s interesting is that this balance between order and chaos looks different depending on where you are in life. For instance, I’ve talked to people a few years out of college who told me that the desire to explore the unknown is strongest at my age. Later, they said, you find more comfort in the predictability of routine.
This makes me think about how randomness in art isn’t just a visual effect, but also a negotiation between control and surrender. From the artist’s perspective, it’s about deciding how much control to let go of : how far to allow chance to shape the outcome? As humans, we instinctively want to manage and predict everything, but there’s something powerful, even humbling, about letting unpredictability take over and seeing what emerges. From the viewer’s perspective, though, the experience is different: our brains are wired to search for patterns, even in what looks chaotic. That tension, between the artist releasing control and the viewer trying to find some meaning in the randomness, creates a space of curiosity and engagement.
Another thing I couldn’t help but think about was that the randomness in computer art isn’t truly random at all. It’s pseudo-random, generated by algorithms. Yet even though it’s artificial, it still produces the illusion of chaos. I find it interesting that machine-made randomness can still tap into the same feelings we get from natural chaos. To me, the perfect balance is when order provides familiarity but randomness introduces curiosity, surprise, and the possibility of discovery. That’s what makes a piece feel alive.