Author: Minjae Kim

In this video, Casey Reas explains how to establish a set of rules that govern how shapes, colors, and patterns are generated, while also introducing an element of randomness or chance into the process. He believes that the tension between control and chaos can produce visually captivating compositions. His artwork series creates generative art using custom software that blends strict rules with randomness. It starts with clear guidelines for shapes, colors, and patterns but adds unpredictability through algorithms. Reas essentially acts as both an artist and a programmer, setting the stage for a unique creative process. What makes this series particularly intriguing is Reas’s intentional introduction of randomness and chance operations through algorithms. This deliberate juxtaposition of control and chaos allows for a dynamic interplay that results in a captivating array of visual outcomes.

After I watched this video, I could think of “No. 5, 1948”, an iconic abstract expressionist painting by American artist Jackson Pollock. Even this painting is pretty old and not painted by AI or software program, this painting could be one of the original paintings that explores the interplay between control and chaos, order and randomness. In this painting, it seems very messy and has no orders. However, his control over his movements and the flow of paint from his brushes or cans is evident in the deliberate calculated way he approached his paintings. His unique “drip painting” technique, in which he poured or dripped paint onto a canvas placed on the ground, allows gravity and chance to play a significant role in the creation of his artworks. I believe that this old artwork can inspire modern artworks using software programs.

Concept:

I wanted to draw myself in NYUAD. My friends usually call me Olaf, the Disney character. My characteristic seems similar to Olaf’s, cheerful and trying to think positively about everything. Also, since I get easily cold, I always wear heavy clothes even in Abu Dhabi to feel warm. In this portrait, I am holding a purple torch, the symbol of NYU. The red flake from the torch is made with several circles.

 

A highlight of some code that you’re particularly proud of:

The background color is sky blue, which shows the nice weather in Abu Dhabi. The snowflakes are not actually snowballs. They are sunflakes (?). I expressed how hot Abu Dhabi is by drawing falling orange sunflakes.

let snowflakes = [];

function setup() {
  createCanvas(400, 400);
  noStroke();
  
}

function draw() {
    
  background(135, 206, 255);

  // Create a new snowflake at random x position
  let snowflake = {
    x: random(width),
    y: 0,
    size: random(5, 18),
    speed: random(1, 3)
  };
  
  snowflakes.push(snowflake);

  // Iterate through the snowflakes and update their positions
  for (let i = snowflakes.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
    let flake = snowflakes[i];
    flake.y += flake.speed;
    
    // Draw the snowflake
    fill(255, 235, 0);
    noStroke()
    ellipse(flake.x, flake.y, flake.size);
    
    // Remove snowflake if it goes off-screen
    if (flake.y > height) {
      snowflakes.splice(i, 1);
    }
  }

This video taught me how to make snowflakes (sunflakes) in motion.  www.youtube.com/shorts/kQU2FW6FqcY. At first, I made many errors because it was my first time using random and let function. However, after I got used to the function, I tried different colors of the flakes.

Reflection and Ideas for the Future of Improvement:

It would be beneficial to know how to draw snowballs and snowmen in 3D shapes. Also, in the future, I want to learn how to draw fire from the torch. Since I only learned how to draw 2D shapes, it was pretty difficult for me to draw fire shapes. In the near future, I will make much more creative artwork using diverse functions.