Author: rgriswol@andrew.cmu.edu

LookingOutwards-02

Google’s DeepDream program, initially created to identify patterns in images with the goal of classifying them, is a generative art program that transforms normal images into surrealist art. The algorithm learns patterns in images and repeats them in order to create psychedelic, dream-like art. Google uses a “convolutional neural network” in this program, which is an artificial neural network based on the animal visual cortex. Because the program was developed by a company rather than an individual artist, no one artist’s “artistic sensibilities” really manifest in their algorithm; however, Google has a website that allows others to upload their own images and run them through the algorithm (and allows for varying degrees of distortion) which lets the user to bring their own artistic sensibilities. I find this particularly inspiring, as it isn’t just one person creating art, but an entire network of people.
It was released in July 2015.

deep_dreamscope_19822170718

Looking Outwards 01

“Loved” is a short story told in the format of a platformer type video game. It was created by Alex Ocias using Flash, Pixelmator, and Audacity. The purpose of its creation was to see if games could present a story in a meaningful way like books and movies do, and to get people to really think about the games they were playing. Ocias was able to create the story in just a month, and since its release in 2010 the game has been played over 5 million times. Hopefully this means that others will take inspiration and make other emotionally-charged, meaningful games and that video games will be seen as a legitimate form of storytelling. Ocias himself was inspired by games like The Last Guardian and Deus Ex: Human Revolution, as well as game companies Thatgamecompany and Edios Montreal. The gameplay, while being quite simplistic, quickly becomes irrelevant once you begin playing. You’re completely immersed in the story, and even the less-than-perfect controls can’t overshadow that. I’d highly recommend this game to anyone – it only takes max 15 minutes, and is best if you play alone and with the sound on.

You can play the game here. (Please note that this game deals with heavy subjects such as abuse, and in the words of Ocias, “contains content that some players may find disturbing”)

loved_splash_alt2

Project-01-Face

sketch

/*
* Rachel Griswold
* rgriswol@andrew.cmu.edu
* Section B
* Project 01
*
*/

function setup() {
    createCanvas(600, 600);
    background(26, 26, 26);
}

function draw() {
	fill(60, 30, 30);
    rect(100, 0, 400, 600); // hair

    fill(240, 227, 174);
    rect(150, 0, 300, 400); // face

    fill(50, 10, 6);
    arc(220, 75, 100, 100, 0, PI); // eye (left)

    fill(50, 10, 6);
    arc(380, 75, 100, 100, 0, PI); // eye (right)

    fill(237, 210, 155);
    arc(220, 67, 100, 100, 0.14, 3); // eyelid (left)

    fill(237, 210, 155);
    arc(380, 67, 100, 100, 0.14, 3); // eyelid (right)

    fill(140, 0, 0);
    rect(237, 320, 125, 40); // mouth 

    fill(350);
    arc(300, 320, 125, 70, PI, TWO_PI); // teeth

    fill(237, 210, 155);
    quad(295, 90, 305, 90, 350, 240, 250, 240); // nose base

    fill(237, 210, 155);
    rect(260, 190, 80, 60) // nose top

    fill(50, 10, 6);
    arc(280, 250, 20, 20, PI, TWO_PI); // nostril (left)

    fill(50, 10, 6);
    arc(320, 250, 20, 20, PI, TWO_PI); // nostril (right)

    fill(60, 30, 30)
    triangle(280, 25, 170, 50, 170, 40); // eyebrow (left)

    fill(60, 30, 30)
    triangle(320, 25, 430, 50, 430, 40); // eyebrow (right)

    fill(187, 240, 248);
    quad(390, 140, 420, 200, 390, 240, 360, 200); // tear
    
}

I wanted to make look interesting even with my limited knowledge – I’m not sure if I succeeded, but it’s much better than I thought it would be, so I’m happy with it.
I’m not sure why it got all messed up when I published it – the features aren’t supposed to be squished, and obviously the teeth aren’t supposed to be separated from the mouth… I have no idea what happened, but the index.html looks completely normal.