For me art and its beauty has always been defined in terms of structure, order ,and algorithmic precision. Coming from a computer science background, I recognized beauty in the patterns that nature presents, like the spirals of sunflowers reflect the Fibonacci sequence. Yet, watching Casey Reas’ Eyeo talk has broadened my perspective.
Reas’ idea of introducing chaos into order struck me as both unsettling and exciting. It reminded me of the games I have created so far, taking me back to the simple bouncing ball game. What if the ball bounces in the exact same way every time? After a few rounds, the game would become predictable and monotonous. What keeps me engaged, in games or in art, is that element of surprise, the small but meaningful ways randomness shifts the experience. Reas framed this randomness not as the enemy of structure, but as its partner, an insight that felt both intuitive and profound once I heard it. Maybe the most memorable experiences emerge when we loosen the grip of order. In fact, Reas’ examples like turning cancer cell reproduction data into patterns made me realize how randomness can still carry intent, even narrative. The rules guide the outcome, but the unpredictability breathes life into it.
In my future work, I aim to set clear rules or structural boundaries for my projects, but within those bounds, I’ll allow random processes to shape outcomes. For example, in an artwork, I might define the color palette and number of shapes, but let their positions, sizes, or interactions emerge randomly every time the code runs.
Reflecting on Reas’s talk, I believe the optimal balance lies at 60-40: about 60% structure and 40% randomness. The structured part grounds the work, maintaining coherence and intent. The random component injects surprise, transforming an algorithmic process into something truly engaging. This approach enriches both my understanding of art and my development process. By integrating defined rules with elements of unpredictability, I hope to create work that is structured yet lively.