Author: aboyle@andrew.cmu.edu

aboyle-Looking Outwards-07

“The Creatures of Prometheus” is a generative visualization of the ballet composed in 1801 by Beethoven. It was created as part of a series of self-initiated studies by Simon Russell that explore the connection between audios and visuals. Russell was assisted by Alex Eckford, Greg Felton, and Alan Martyn. It can be found at http://www.creativeapplications.net/sound/the-creatures-of-prometheus-generative-visualisation-of-beethovens-ballet-with-houdini/. The visualization is entertaining to watch and it makes the audience think about their conceptions of music and color. I also think that the little stick figure composer at the bottom is adorable.

According to the website, the “animation is driven mainly through a MIDI file. The Houdini setup reads the notation and emits particles using the pitch to derive their height and amplitude to derive their speed. As the volume of each note increases it also effects the colour emitted.” The setup also takes into account the previous note when determining the height of the current note. The little conductor is keyframed, but his movements are exaggerated depending on the volume.

The creator could have been inspired by the idea of synesthesia, which is a phenomenon where two senses are intertwined so that people can see music or hear colors. The creator also could have been inspired by Disney’s Fantasia 2000, which beautifully gives visuals to many classical musical compositions. Regardless of possible inspirations, it’s very clear that the creator has a love for visuals, music, computation, and the combinations thereof.

aboyle-Looking Outwards-06

Picture credit:https://creators.vice.com/en_uk/article/vvzxkb/random-numbers-screen-printed-generative-art-nyc-event

For this post, I decided to look at the work of Marius Watz, specifically his contribution to the “Random Number Multiples” series. All contributors create prints that engage with new techniques, and Marius Watz decided to experiment with computational randomness. Watz created two prints, both part of an “arc” series, that are described as “pseudo-random compositions of radial shapes, subtly distorted by a 3D surface that lends the image a strong focal point and sense of movement.”

First of all, I simply like the aesthetics of this project; I think that the final prints are very interesting to look at. Secondly, I think it’s interesting how the art was generated on a computer and then transferred onto a physical print. In a time where everything’s digitized, it can be tempting to just leave digital art on the computer, but I think that there’s a benefit to bringing that art into the physical world. Finally, while I can tell that aspects of the art were random, the piece is nonetheless cohesive, something that I find intriguing.

The artist describes the composition as “pseudo-random”, so the randomness was heavily biased and deterministic—not “truly random”, perhaps, but interesting nonetheless. From the final product, I can tell that Watz has an appreciation for both color and form.

aboyle-Project 06-Abstract Clock

aboyle clock

function setup() {
    createCanvas(480, 480);
}


function draw() {
  background(122,109,95);
  rectMode(CORNER)

  var h=hour();
  var m=minute();
  var s=second();
  var month;
  var mappedS = map(s,0,59,135,370);

  stroke(0)
  strokeWeight(1)
  fill(255);
  rect(130,20,245,190);
  rect(130,210,245,35)

//makes calendar squares
  for (r=1; r <= 7; r++)
    for(c=1;c <= 5;c++)
    rect(95+35*r,210+35*c,35,35)

//changes month according to hour
  if (h==1 || h==13){
    month="January"
  } if (h==2 || h==14){
    month="February"
  } if (h==3 || h==15){
    month="March"
  } if (h==4 || h==16){
    month="April"
  } if (h==5 || h==17){
    month="May"
  } if (h==6 || h==18){
    month="June"
  } if (h==7 || h==19){
    month="July"
  } if (h==8 || h==20){
    month="August"
  } if (h==9 || h==21){
    month="September"
  } if (h==10 || h==22){
    month="October"
  } if (h==11 || h==23){
    month="November"
  } if (h==12 || h==24){
    month="December"
  }


//month according to hour
  fill(0);
  textSize(25);
  text(month,width/2.3,237)

//moves x depending on minute
//since there are only 31 days in a month
//it changes color halfway through

  var across=m
  var down=245
  stroke(255,0,0)
  strokeWeight(5);
  if (m >7){
    across=m-7
    down=280
  } if (m >14){
    across=m-14
    down=315
  } if (m >21){
    across=m-21
    down=350
  } if (m >28){
    across=m-28
    down=385
  } if (m >31){
    across=m-31
    down=245
    stroke(0)
  } if (m >38){
    across=m-38
    down=280
    stroke(0)
  } if (m >45){
    across=m-45
    down=315
    stroke(0)
  } if (m >52){
    across=m-52
    down=350
    stroke(0)
  } if (m >58){
    across=m-58
    down=385
    stroke(0)
  } if (m < 1){
    strokeWeight(0);
  }

//draws X
  line(95+across*35,down,130+across*35,down+35);
  line(130+across*35,down,95+across*35,down+35);

//Picture Variables
  var secondLine=mappedS+40
  var thirdLine=mappedS+105
  var endPointOne=105
  var endPointTwo=198
  var endPointThree=mappedS
  var endPointFour=65
  var smallLine=mappedS-50
  var bluePoint=mappedS


//Calendar picture
  strokeWeight(5)
  stroke(0);
//first vertical line
  line(mappedS,22,mappedS,207)
//second smaller vertical line
  if (mappedS >330){
    secondLine=mappedS-198
  }
  line(secondLine,100,secondLine,207)
//third vertical line
  if (mappedS >270){
    thirdLine=mappedS-130
  }
  line(thirdLine,22,thirdLine,150)
//fourth vertical line
  if (mappedS < 180){
    smallLine=mappedS+190
  }
  line(smallLine,150,smallLine,207)
//first horizontal line
  strokeWeight(5);
  if (mappedS >272){
    endPointOne=102+(270-mappedS)
    line(132,100,mappedS-132,100)
  }
  line(mappedS,100,mappedS+endPointOne,100)
//second horizontal lines
  if (mappedS >100){
    endPointTwo=198+(135-mappedS)
  }
  line(secondLine,150,secondLine+endPointTwo,150)
  line(132,150,mappedS,150)

//blue square
  rectMode(CORNERS)
  fill(0,0,255)
  if (mappedS < 180){
    bluePoint=372
    rect(132,150,mappedS,208)
  }
  rect(smallLine,150,bluePoint,208)
//red square
  fill(255,0,0)
  if(100 < mappedS & mappedS < 270){
    rect(132,22,mappedS,150)
    endPointThree=372
  }
  rect(thirdLine,22,endPointThree,150)
//yellow square
  fill(255,255,0)
  if (270 < mappedS && mappedS < 330){
    endPointFour=333-mappedS
    rect(132,100,thirdLine,150)
  }
  rect(secondLine,100,secondLine+endPointFour,150)


//tack to attach calendar to wall
    ellipse(255,32,5);

}

When brainstorming for my abstract clock, I thought about how a lot of our timekeeping was based on the number 12. I decided that I wanted to make an abstract clock based on a calendar, where the actual time corresponds to the represented date—3:12 will be represented as March 12th, for example. I had to use a lot of if-then statements in this project. For the minutes, I had to make an if-then statement for each set of seven minutes so I could move the x over across the row and then back to the beginning of the row when it drops a column.

I decided to make the picture on the calendar a Mondrian-esque art piece in reference to our first coding project. I wanted the art to seem as if it was wrapping around, which necessitated a lot more if-then statements. I’m assuming that there was more concise way to do it, but I don’t know it yet. Overall, while I wish it could have been visually prettier, I’m pretty happy with the concept and execution!

aboyle-Looking Outwards-05

“Dynamic Earth” is a 24-minute long video that uses 3D computer graphics to explore concepts related to climate. It was completed in 2012 after a two year long collaboration between Spitz Creative Media, the Advanced Visualization Lab at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois, NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, and Thomas Lucas Productions, Inc.

I admire this project because it ties together science with beautiful computer graphics. I believe that computer graphics’ potential in the field of education is enormous and I’m glad to see such an impressive product made with those ideas in mind. The algorithms were entirely based on real world data, although I suppose there could have been a few creative liberties with regards to the aesthetic representation. I can tell that the creators have both a love for science and art; in the trailer, scientific models are interspersed with beautiful panning shots of Venus and the ocean floor. Although I don’t have access to the whole film, I’m sure it was beautiful, informational, and impressively cohesive.

aboyle-Project-05-Wallpaper

aboyle wallpaper

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

function draw() {
    background(191, 220, 249);
//creates light lines in the background
    for(x=10; x<width+50; x+=100){
      strokeWeight(4);
      stroke(238,245,247)
      line(x,0,x,400)
      strokeWeight(2);
      stroke(222,245,252);
      line(x+50,0,x+50,400)
    }
//jellyfish tentacles
    noFill();
    oneTentacles();
    twoTentacles();
    threeTentacles();
    fourTentacles();
//jellyfish bodies
    strokeWeight(0);
    jellyfishOne();
    jellyfishTwo();
    jellyfishThree();
    jellyfishFour();
  }

//orange jellyfish
function jellyfishOne(){
    for (var x=10; x<width+50; x+=100){
      for(var y=25; y<height+50; y+=100){
      //body
      fill(236, 190, 130);
      ellipse(x,y,15);
      triangle(x,y,x-2,y-10,x+12,y-2)
      //highlight
      fill(247, 222, 188);
      ellipse(x-1,y-1,7)
    }
  }
}

//purple jellyfish
function jellyfishTwo(){
  for (var x=15; x<width+50; x+=100){
    for(var y=50; y<height+50; y+=100){
      //body
      fill(182, 137, 212);
      ellipse(x,y,20);
      triangle(x,y,x,y+15,x+15,y+4);
      //highlight
      fill(216, 182, 239);
      ellipse(x, y-4, 9);
    }
  }
}

//large lavender jellyfish
function jellyfishThree(){
  for (var x=65; x<width+50; x+=100){
    for(var y=40; y<height+50; y+=100){
      //body
      fill(212,137,209);
      ellipse(x,y,30);
      triangle(x,y,x-20,y+5,x-12,y-18)
      //highlight
      fill(236,191,235);
      ellipse(x-1,y-6,13);
    }
  }
}

//pink jellyfish
function jellyfishFour(){
  for (var x=-10; x<width+50; x+=100){
    for(var y=-20; y<height+50; y+=100){
      //body
      fill(242, 146, 178);
      ellipse(x,y,25);
      triangle(x,y,x-18,y+3,x-5,y+17)
      //highlight
      fill(250,199,216);
      ellipse(x-3,y-3,11)
    }
  }
}

//orange tentacles
function oneTentacles(){
  for (var x=10; x<width+50; x+=100){
    for(var y=25; y<height+50; y+=100){
      stroke(159,87,24);
      curve(x-85,y+20,x,y,x+5,y-25,x-85,y-20);
      curve(x-90,y+20,x-3,y,x-1,y-25,x-90,y-20);
      curve(x-95,y+20,x-6,y,x-7,y-25,x-95,y-20);
}
}
}

//purple tentacles
function twoTentacles(){
  for (var x=15; x<width+50; x+=100){
    for(var y=50; y<height+50; y+=100){
      stroke(102, 51, 102);
      curve(x-95,y-20,x,y,x+20,y+40,x-95,y+50);
      curve(x-100,y-20,x-5,y,x+14,y+40,x-100,y+50);
      curve(x-105,y-20,x-9,y,x+8,y+40,x-105,y+50);
}
}
}

//large lavender tentacles
function threeTentacles(){
  for (var x=65; x<width+50; x+=100){
    for(var y=40; y<height+50; y+=100){
      stroke(129,73,128);
      bezier(x-15,y-70,x+30,y-60,x-95,y-10,x,y)
      bezier(x-10,y-75,x+35,y-60,x-85,y-15,x+5,y)
      bezier(x-5,y-80,x+40,y-60,x-75,y-20,x+10,y)
    }
}
}

//pink tentacles
function fourTentacles(){
  for (var x=90; x<width+50; x+=100){
    for(var y=-20; y<height+50; y+=100){
      stroke(134,67,89);
      bezier(x,y,x-60,y+20,x+30,y+50,x-12,y+80)
      bezier(x+6,y,x-55,y+20,x+35,y+50,x-7,y+80)
      bezier(x+10,y,x-50,y+20,x+40,y+50,x-2,y+80)
}
}
}

For some reason, when I thought of wallpaper my mind immediately went to jellyfish. I sketched out a grid and mapped four different jellyfish onto it, seen below.

While the bodies of the jellyfish end up in roughly the same position, I changed the position of the tentacles while I was coding. Although I could’ve put the code for the tentacles under the jellyfish body functions, it helped me mentally to organize them separately.

In the end, I had less space than I thought I would so I couldn’t include any shells for decoration. I tried to pick colors that were light and cartoony; I was going for a “child’s bathroom” kind of vibe. I also added some light lines in the background to make it more visually interesting. Overall, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out!

aboyle-Looking Outwards-04

For this post, I have chosen to discuss the Flow Machines Project. This project is funded by the European Research Council and coordinated by François Pachet. Their website can be found at http://www.flow-machines.com/. This project uses computers to help compose music in the style of a chosen composer.

I really admire this project’s attempts to emulate creativity. While I can easily understand how computers spit out preexisting melodies, I am impressed with how this project aims to generate new music. Since creativity has long been relegated to the realm of humanity, it’ll be interesting to see where this project goes.

The algorithms used in this project are based on Markov models. They capture the properties of sequences and abstract them into mathematical concepts. Using these concepts, the computer is then able to generate music of its own. The creators have an evident love for music in general, as is to be expected, but it seems to me that they also have a love for the aspects of music that make it unique and recognizable.

aboyle-Project-04-String Art

aboyle String Art

function setup() {
    createCanvas(300, 400);
}

var move=100
var dir=1

function draw(){
    background(mouseX/2+mouseY/2);
    noFill();

//if moving lines hit the center of the circles, they switch direction
    move+=dir*2
    if (move>=300 || move<=100){
      dir=-dir
    }

  for (var i=10; i<=150; i+=10){
      //creates border lines on left
      stroke(0,300-mouseX,300-mouseX)
      line(0,110-i/2,i*2,0);
      line(0,296+i/2,i*2,400);
      //creates border lines on right
      line(300,360-i/2,i*2,400);
      line(300,30+i/2,i*2,0);
      //creates moving lines
      stroke(300-mouseX,0,300-mouseX)
      line(150,move,i-10,0);
      line(150,move,310-i,0);
      line(150,move,i-10,400);
      line(150,move,310-i,400);


    if (i<100){
      //creates side curves
      stroke(300-mouseX,0,0)
      curve(-200-i*4,150,0,155-i/5,0,255+i/5,-200-i*4,250)
      curve(500+i*4,150,300,145-i/5,300,245+i/5,500+i*4,250)
      //creates circles
      ellipse(150,100,30+i/2)
      ellipse(150,300,30+i/2)
      //creates center curves
      stroke(0,0,300-mouseX)
      curve(0,400,0,300,100+i,200,100,0);
      curve(0,400,300,300,100+i,200,100,0);
      //mirror image of curves
      push();
      translate(width,height);
      rotate(PI);
      curve(0,400,0,300,100+i,200,100,0);
      curve(0,400,300,300,100+i,200,100,0);
      pop();

    }
  }
}

I didn’t really have any ideas about what I wanted the final product to look like, so I just started messing around with different lines to see what would happen. I think that string art is visually appealing, so now that I have a basic grasp on for() I’m excited to play around with it in the future. I decided to add some color changes and movement as well, just to spice it up a little. The one thing I had trouble with was creating the center curves; I ended up making one half and then mirroring it with push() and pop(), but I bet there’s a simpler way to do it.

aboyle-Looking Outwards-03

For this post, I have chosen to discuss a project known as “Digital Grotesque”, specifically Grotto II, which is the second and (in my opinion) more impressive creation. The architects behind this project are Michael Hansmeyer and Benjamin Dillenburger, who worked with a fabrication team of 6 people. Their website can be found at https://digital-grotesque.com/.

Grotto II premiered in March 2017. It is 3.45 meters high, is made out of 7 tons of printed sandstone, and contains a space where people can enter and marvel at the 1.35 billion surfaces. What I most admire about this project is the sheer scale. While I’ve become somewhat accustomed to small 3D printed trinkets, the idea of a complexly decorated room created through 3D printing is still novel to me. It’s also exciting to know that people are willing to devote years of their lives to in order to fully explore the field of 3D printing.

Above: Inside the Digital Grotesque grotto. Link: https://digital-grotesque.com/architecture/

Grotto II was designed entirely by algorithms. According to the website, “a subdivision algorithm exploits the 3D printer’s full potential by creating porous, multi-layered structures with spatial depth. A single volume spawns millions of branches, growing and folding into a complex topological structure.” The algorithms do not incorporate randomness, but the creators say that the results were not necessarily foreseeable. Although the artists say that they tried to avoid referencing any existing architectural styles, their interest in architecture as a whole is clearly evident in the work.

aboyle-Project 03-Dynamic Drawing

aboyle-Dynamic drawing

function setup() {
    createCanvas(640, 480);
  }

//Snow variables
    var snow=0
    var snowTwo=0
    var snowThree=0

function draw() {
    background(45,138,185)

//Tree variables
    var trunkWidth=30
    var trunkHeight=430-mouseY
    var leafHeight=mouseY-40
    var leafWidth=70+mouseY
    strokeWeight(0);

//Limits the trees' growth
    if(mouseY<250){
      trunkHeight=180
      leafHeight=210
      leafWidth=320}

//Summer sun
    if(mouseX<=160){
      fill(63,147,169);
      triangle(660,-30,0,480,400,480)
      fill(78,156,155);
      triangle(650,-10,100,480,300,480);
      fill(45,138,185)
      rect(575,0,90,90)
      fill(255,252,0);
      ellipse(575,70,60);
    }


//Trunks--as mouse moves up, the trunks grow
    fill(115,72,22);
    rect(75,480-trunkHeight,trunkWidth,trunkHeight);
    rect(210,480-trunkHeight,trunkWidth,trunkHeight);
    rect(345,480-trunkHeight,trunkWidth,trunkHeight);
    rect(480,480-trunkHeight,trunkWidth,trunkHeight);

//Leaves--as mouse moves up, position of leaves moves up
    fill(21,148,42)
    //tree one
    triangle(25,leafWidth,90,leafHeight,155,leafWidth);
    triangle(30,leafWidth-70,90,leafHeight-70,150,leafWidth-70);
    triangle(35,leafWidth-140,90,leafHeight-140,145,leafWidth-140);
    triangle(40,leafWidth-210,90,leafHeight-210,140,leafWidth-210);
    //tree two
    triangle(160,leafWidth,225,leafHeight,290,leafWidth);
    triangle(165,leafWidth-70,225,leafHeight-70,285,leafWidth-70);
    triangle(170,leafWidth-140,225,leafHeight-140,280,leafWidth-140);
    triangle(175,leafWidth-210,225,leafHeight-210,275,leafWidth-210);
    //tree three
    triangle(295,leafWidth,360,leafHeight,425,leafWidth);
    triangle(300,leafWidth-70,360,leafHeight-70,420,leafWidth-70);
    triangle(305,leafWidth-140,360,leafHeight-140,415,leafWidth-140);
    triangle(310,leafWidth-210,360,leafHeight-210,410,leafWidth-210);
    //tree four
    triangle(430,leafWidth,495,leafHeight,560,leafWidth);
    triangle(435,leafWidth-70,495,leafHeight-70,555,leafWidth-70);
    triangle(440,leafWidth-140,495,leafHeight-140,550,leafWidth-140);
    triangle(445,leafWidth-210,495,leafHeight-210,545,leafWidth-210);

//Summer birds--change position depending on mouse
    if(mouseX<=160){
      strokeWeight(5);
      line(mouseX,mouseY-50,mouseX+10, mouseY-40);
      line(mouseX+10,mouseY-40,mouseX+20,mouseY-50);
      line(mouseX-30,mouseY-30,mouseX-20,mouseY-20);
      line(mouseX-20,mouseY-20, mouseX-10,mouseY-30);
      line(mouseX-30,mouseY-70,mouseX-20,mouseY-60);
      line(mouseX-20,mouseY-60, mouseX-10,mouseY-70);
      line(mouseX-60,mouseY-90,mouseX-50,mouseY-80);
      line(mouseX-50,mouseY-80,mouseX-40,mouseY-90);
      line(mouseX-60,mouseY-10,mouseX-50,mouseY);
      line(mouseX-50,mouseY,mouseX-40,mouseY-10);

//Summer text
      textSize(30)
      fill(0);
      text("Summer", 40,40)
    }

//Autumnn
      if(mouseX>160 & mouseX<=320){
      //pumpkins
      fill(205,123,28)
      ellipse(0,460,80,90)
      ellipse(95,460,75,75)
      ellipse(170,460,50,50);
      ellipse(250,460,100,100)
      ellipse(345,460,60,60)
      ellipse(450,460,120,100)
      ellipse(560,460,75,75)
      ellipse(640,460,60,60)
      //ghost--changes position depending on mouse
      //and the mouth changes shape depending on x coordinates
      fill(256);
      rect(mouseX,mouseY-90,60,80);
      ellipse(mouseX+30,mouseY-95,60)
      fill(0);
      ellipse(mouseX+15,mouseY-100,20)
      ellipse(mouseX+45,mouseY-100,20)
      ellipse(mouseX+30,mouseY-60,40,mouseX-250)
      text("Autumn",40,40)
            }

//Snow and rain
    //three different speeds for snow
    snow+=6;
    snowTwo+=5;
    snowThree+=3;

    if(mouseX>320){
      //if it's winter, make snow on the ground
      if(mouseX<=480){
        fill(256);
        ellipse(320,480,640,100);}
      //if it's spring, make rainclouds in the sky
      else{
        fill(100);
        ellipse(0,0,130,70);
        ellipse(100,20,150,80);
        ellipse(200,10,140,90);
        ellipse(300,0,130,70);
        ellipse(400,10,140,80);
        ellipse(500,0,130,90);
        ellipse(600,20,150,70)
      }
      //if it's winter, make snow white
      if(mouseX<=480){
        fill(256);}
      //if it's spring, make rain blue
      else{
        fill(18,38,169)
      }
      //droplets of snow/rain
      ellipse(10,snow,10);
      ellipse(10,snowTwo+30,10);
      ellipse(40,snow+30,10);
      ellipse(40,snowThree,10);
      ellipse(70,snowTwo+30,10);
      ellipse(70,snowThree,10);
      ellipse(100,snow+60,10);
      ellipse(100,snowTwo+30,10);
      ellipse(130,snow+60,10);
      ellipse(130,snowThree+30,10);
      ellipse(160,snowThree+60,10);
      ellipse(160,snowTwo+40,10);
      ellipse(190,snow,10);
      ellipse(190,snowTwo+70,10);
      ellipse(220,snow+20,10);
      ellipse(220,snowThree,10);
      ellipse(250,snowTwo+60,10);
      ellipse(250,snowThree,10);
      ellipse(280,snowThree+60,10);
      ellipse(280,snowTwo+10,10);
      ellipse(310,snowTwo,10);
      ellipse(310,snow+30,10);
      ellipse(340,snow,10);
      ellipse(340,snowThree+60,10);
      ellipse(370,snowThree+20,10);
      ellipse(370,snowTwo,10);
      ellipse(400,snowTwo+30,10);
      ellipse(400,snowThree+50,10);
      ellipse(430,snow+30,10);
      ellipse(430,snowTwo+60,10);
      ellipse(500,snowThree,10);
      ellipse(500,snow+60,10);
      ellipse(530,snowTwo+30,10);
      ellipse(530,snowThree,10);
      ellipse(560,snow+20,10);
      ellipse(560,snowTwo,10);
      ellipse(590,snowThree+60,10);
      ellipse(590,snow+10,10);
      ellipse(620,snowTwo+20);
      ellipse(620,snowThree+40,10);

//Winter text
      if(mouseX<=480){
        fill(0);
        text("Winter",40,40);}
      if(mouseX>480){

//Spring flowers
      //stems
      fill(52,108,8)
      rect(145,575-trunkHeight,10,trunkHeight);
      rect(295,575-trunkHeight,10,trunkHeight);
      rect(420,575-trunkHeight,10,trunkHeight);
      //petals--mouseX makes color change
      fill(215,mouseX-500,32);
      ellipse(140,580-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(145,565-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(153,585-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(160,573-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(290,580-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(295,565-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(303,585-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(310,573-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(415,580-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(420,565-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(427,585-trunkHeight,20);
      ellipse(435,573-trunkHeight,20);
      //centers
      fill(85,47,27);
      ellipse(150,575-trunkHeight,15);
      ellipse(300,575-trunkHeight,15);
      ellipse(425,575-trunkHeight,15);

//Spring text
      textSize(30);
      fill(0);
      text("Spring",40,40)
        }
    }

//Loops the snow
    if(snow>480){
      snow=-60}
    if (snowTwo>480){
      snowTwo=-60}
    if(snowThree>480){
      snowThree=-60}

  }

This assignment was very cool! I didn’t use as many variables as I thought I would, mainly because I thought it made more sense to input mouseX and mouseY instead of setting them equal to a variable and then inputting that variable. I forgot that wordpress doesn’t allow a width of 640, which unfortunately means that you can’t see the sun or the flowers change color on the blog. I also wish I had been able to make the rain and snow look more random, but since that wasn’t the point of the exercise I decided to spend more time on adding aspects that changed according to the mouse–the birds, the ghost, the flowers, etc. Overall I’m pretty pleased with how it came out!

aboyle-Looking Outwards-02

Above: Growth by Aggregation, by Andy Lomas

For this blog post, I have chosen to discuss a series of works by Andy Lomas titled “Aggregation.” His website can be found here: www.andylomas.com, and this series in particular can be found here: http://www.andylomas.com/aggregationImages.html. I believe the images were created in 2005.

First and foremost, I admire the complexity of the end result. He provides a pixel image at ½ the full resolution on his website and it is still stunning. I think that the math behind the project actually enhances the appeal of the final image, lending it a sense of calculated spontaneity. The second reason I admire the series is its resemblance to plants and coral. It draws on nature as an inspiration, forcing the viewer to think about the incredibly complex processes behind the creation of living things. Ultimately, it is not only pleasing to look at, but also interesting to think about.

Above: Aggregation 6, by Andy Lomas

The images in “Aggregation” are gradually created by “simulating the paths of millions of particles randomly flowing in a field of forces”. By building on top of a simple foundation, the algorithms involved were able to create incredibly complex structures. My knowledge is rudimentary, but I’d imagine the algorithms involved are fairly complicated. However, there are aspects of repetition that aesthetically improve the final images and presumably simplify the algorithms somewhat.

I also did a little research into Lomas, and I discovered that he has a passion for morphogenesis, which is the biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape. This clearly impacts his work, specifically the aggregation series. The process of accretion in his work is similar to those found in the natural world, and as a result the final images resemble plants and coral. Lomas is very upfront about this influence; he quotes D’arcy Wentworth Thompson, a pioneer of mathematical biology, as an inspiration. As I mentioned before, I admire his passion and I believe it resulted in harmonious and thought-provoking work. I hope that artists and mathematicians will continue looking to the natural world for inspiration.