Author: Michelle Janco

mjanco – lookingoutwards06 – randomness – section B

 

I looked at Marc Adrian’s Computer Poem, Text I, from 1963. This was a randomized, computer-generated poem of black text on a white background. The poem was made using a simple method which randomized the selection of specific words, (words that could be read the same in English and in German) and the font size and location of the words on the canvas. I thought this piece was interesting because, in Adrian’s words, “it allows the spectator to find [their] own meanings in the association of words more easily, since their choice, size, and disposition are determined at random.” I also thought it was intriguing that poetry commonly seems quite personal, and based on experiences and influences of human beings. However, in this piece, the viewer is the one creating the personal aspects and personal meaning due to the vagueness and open-endedness of a randomly-generated computer-made poem. I think Adrian was right to keep the font and colors very stark and straightforward. However, I wish the conceptual side of the words chosen (able to be read in English and German) was a bit more interesting. I don’t think that concept is open-ended enough to give viewers power to make their own connections with the words. Also, Adrian experienced the end of WWII and the terrifying events of the Nazi regime, which motivated him to turn to pieces of “rationality, analysis, and multi-media” which is in some ways shown in this particular piece, through its multi-media blend of poetry, computation, and visual art.

http://glia.ca/conu/digitalPoetics/prehistoric-blog/2008/08/20/1963-marc-adrain-text-i/

 

 

mjanco – project6-abstractclock-sectionB

abstractclock

//Michelle Janco
//Section B
//mjanco@andrew.cmu.edu
//Project06-AbstractClock

function setup() {
  createCanvas(600, 800);
}

function draw() {
  noStroke();
  background(228,200,30);

  var mapH = map(hour(), 0,30, 0, width);

//make ellipse that grows depending on the hour
  fill(250, 150, 0);
    ellipse(300,400, mapH, 50);


  for (var i = 0; i < 60; i++){
    var c = color(240, 200, 0);
    	//make seconds red
    	if (second() == i) {
      	c = color(240, 80, 30);
    }
    //if not, purple
    else {
      	c = color(130, 100, 180);

    //getting the minutes to gradually make the clock green as time goes on
    	if (i < minute() & i != second()) {
      	c = color(100, 150, 30);
     	 }
 	 }
    drawMark(i, c);
  }
}
  function drawMark(count, col) {
    push();
    translate(300, 400);
    rotate(radians(count*6));
    fill(col);
    strokeWeight(1);
    ellipse(50,50, 300,3);
    pop();
  }

For this assignment, I was inspired by wacky 60’s / 70’s room accessories, with their bright colors and abstract shapes. It took me a while to figure out how to make the minutes add up and then reset once 60 minutes pass, but eventually i figured it out, and learned a lot from doing this project.

mjanco – Looking Outwards-05

 

I’ve chosen to look at this piece by Mikael Hvidtfeldt Christensen. He is a physicist who creates 3D generative artworks using Structure Synth and Fragmentarium, both open source applications. This particular piece, “Algebraic Decay,” uploaded to Christensen’s profile on October 19, 2012, really captured my attention because of its stunning textures and colors. I see it as if it is a large floating landscape, but it also is just vague enough that it could be an image under a microscope. I love how the composition and textures play with the perspective, and make me wonder whether this 3D object is very large or very small. This piece is very complex, therefore it is hard for me to pinpoint what must have been required to produce this piece. However, they must have needed a soft, warm-toned light source, and perhaps Perlin Noise to create the soft, gently wavering textures. The artist does specify that the work was folded in Fragmentarium. The artist says he is interested in chemistry, physics, and complex systems. The texture, lighting, and vague background definitely give the impression that it is a specimen being examined under a light, which is where the artists’ fascination with scientific examination comes into play. The textures and colors also give the impression of an organic substance, which the artist also has interest in exploring.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/syntopia/

Algebraic Decay

 

 

 

mjanco – wallpaper

wallpaper

//Michelle Janco
//Section B
//mjanco@andrew.cmu.edu
//Project-05-Wallpaper

function setup() {
    createCanvas(400, 320);
}

function draw() {
    background(0);
    drawGrid();
    noLoop();
}
function drawGrid() {
  stroke(170, 80, 100);
  strokeWeight(2);
  //vertical ellipses - green
  for (var y = -1; y < height; y += 80) {
        for (var x = 50; x < width+50; x += 100) {
            fill(74,250,160,90);
            ellipse(x, y, 100, 200);
        }
    }
    //horizontal ellipses - yellow
    for (var y = 0; y < height+50; y += 80) {
          for (var x = 50; x < width+50; x += 100) {
              fill(240,200,60, 90);
              ellipse(x, y, 200, 100);
        }
    }
    //rectangles
    noStroke();
    for (var y = 0; y < height+50; y += 80) {
          for (var x = 50; x < width+50; x += 100) {
              fill(200,91,66 , 90);
              rect(x-5, y-10, 10, 20);
        }
    }
}

For this project I just wanted to use a simple geometric print using a color scheme that I like. I found that I could create new shapes by layering familiar ones, and altering the opacity of my colors.

mjanco-LookingOutwards-04

This week I looked at James Murphy’s “Subway Symphony” from 2014. This was a project in which Murphy wanted to change the harsh beep sound when passengers swipe their cards before getting on the subway. He decided to have each swiping station randomly play 1 0f 8 notes, so as the subway station gets busy, the notes play together to create music. I really admired that James Murphy wanted to take advantage of a sound that many New Yorkers hear on a daily basis, and turn it into something beautiful. It was a way of bringing generative sound art into a setting that everyday people experience daily. I know the process for this project was also very cheap, because they already needed to have a sound be generated, they just needed to program the stations to randomly play a note from a set of notes that sound nice together. James Murphy is a native of New York City and has played many shows and done many recordings there. It makes sense that he wanted to create generative art that could be experienced by the public crowds of New York. His work is also usually based in simple singular notes layered on top of each other, as represented in this piece.

 

mjanco-Assignment-04-String-Art-Section-B

stringart

//Michelle Janco
//Section B
//mjanco@andrew.cmu.edu
//Project-04-String-Art

var x2 = 1;
var y1 = 1;
var y2 = 0;
var xInc = 300;
var yInc = 400;

function setup() {
    createCanvas(400, 300);
    background(249,214,86);
}

function draw() {
  for (var x1 = 0; x1 < width; x1 += 5) {
    var y1 = x1 * .50;
    stroke(250,150,0);
    //vertical lines
    line(x1, y1, x1-80, y2);
    //upper right curve
    line(x2*yInc, y1, x1, y2);
    //diagonal center lines
    line(x2-100, yInc-65, x1, y1);
    //center triangular form
    stroke(240,100,0);
    line(yInc+40, x2*xInc, x1, y1);
    //upper right smaller curve
    stroke(240,100,0);
    line(xInc+65, y1+40, x1+20, y2);
    //bottom left curve
    stroke(250,150,0);
    line(x1, xInc, x2, y1);
    //lower left smaller curve
    stroke(240,100,0);
    line(x1-10, xInc-60, x2+35, y1);
  }
}

I found this assignment quite difficult because I did not have a clear vision going into it. This result is primarily from trying different things and seeing what works. However, I did enjoy playing with the color scheme.

Michelle Janco – Looking Outwards – 03

For this week’s Looking Outwards, I chose to read about and look at was a 3D printed “fabric” made by the 3D print service “Digits2Widgets” in 2014, which was presented at NYC’s 3D Printshow. The 3D printed material is made to be flexible like cloth of fabric. I found it fascinating that something made with a computer could behave like an otherwise flexible, sometimes organic material. I don’t know what specific algorithms were used in the making of this material, but I know it must have involved repeatedly creating patterns, as the material is made of millions of small interlocking pieces. You can see that comfort is trying to be achieved, as 3D printed forms are usually hard and not flexible. The Design Director of Digits2Widgets, Jonathan Rowley, said he “hopes artists and designers pick up on this concept and begin to print ‘real’ flexible garments that are actually light, comfortable and totally flexible.” I could not find an official title for the product other than 3D Printed Nylon.

http://www.fabbaloo.com/blog/2014/2/14/its-3d-printed-and-its-flexible

 

Michelle Janco – Project 3- Dynamic Drawing

changing drawing

//Michelle Janco
//Section B
//mjanco@andrew.cmu.edu
//Project - 3

var Xpos
var Ypos
var pupilYpos
var pupilXpos

function setup() {
    createCanvas(400, 400);
}
function draw() {
  background(255);
//drawing the eye
if (mouseX < (width/2)){
  noStroke();
  fill(249, 214, 87);
}
else {
  noStroke();
  fill(random(0, 255), random(0, 255), random(0, 255));
}
ellipse(200, 200, 350, 350);
//shaking iris
fill(255);
ellipse(Xpos, Ypos, 200, 100);
if (mouseX > width/2) {
Xpos = width/2+ random(0,mouseX/60);
Ypos = height/2 + random(0,mouseX/60);
}
//pupil movement
var pupilXpos = constrain(mouseX, 150, 250);
noStroke();
fill(0);
ellipse(pupilXpos, 200, 40, 40);
}

For this assignment I created an eye that changes color when it looks to the right and follows the mouse. I had a little trouble with the order of things, but finally found the way to make it work.

mjanco – LookingOutwards02- Section B

Michelle Janco

LookingOutwards-02

Section B

I looked at the piece WAVES by Lia, created in 2016. WAVES is a generative installation that shows flowing virtual waves that continuously flow and never repeat the same way. I admire the beauty of this piece, as it appears like a moving painting. It does not change drastically, but with subtlety. The tiniest of details change and never repeat, which brings this scenic, digital “painting” to life. Lia describes that the direction of the waves is unchangeable, meaning the code written called for one directional movement. However, the patterns and layering of the waves themselves are always randomized, due to the randomized changes in details, rhythm, and scale. I also really liked that the project manifested into a backdrop for artistic performance, both enhancing itself and the performance, to make one beautiful piece. Lia shows that WAVES played at a concert, “Blades” behind the musicians. (link: http://www.liaworks.com/theprojects/waves/ ).

@C – Lâminas
(Pedro Tudela e Miguel Carvalhais) na Blackbox
2017.03.03 Gnration, Braga, Portugal
© André Henriques
www.facebook.com/ahphoto.portugal

 

mjanco – Section B- Project 2

generativefaces

//Michelle Janco
//mjanco@andrew.cmu.edu
//15-104 Section B
//Project - 2

var eyeSize = 40;
var faceWidth = 200;
var faceHeight = 230;
var mouthWidth = 60;
var mouthHeight = 30;
var faceColor = 255;
var noseWidth = 50;
var noseHeight = 15;
var pupilSize = 15;

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

function draw() {
    background(250,253,169);
    noStroke();
    fill(faceColor);
    ellipse(width / 2, height / 2, faceWidth,  faceHeight);
    var eyeLX = width / 2 - faceWidth * 0.25;
    var eyeRX = width / 2 + faceWidth * 0.25;
    //eyes
    fill(160,175,179);
    ellipse(eyeLX, height / 2, eyeSize, eyeSize);
    ellipse(eyeRX, height / 2, eyeSize, eyeSize);
    //pupils
    fill(0);
    ellipse(eyeLX, height / 2, pupilSize, pupilSize);
    ellipse(eyeRX, height / 2, pupilSize, pupilSize);
    //mouth
    fill(112,2,51);
    ellipse(width / 2, height / 1.55, mouthWidth, mouthHeight);
    //nose
    fill(0);
    rotate(PI/5.0);
    rect(width / 1.55, height / 20.75, noseWidth, noseHeight, 40);

  }

function mousePressed() {
    // when the user clicks, these variables are reassigned
    // to random values within specified ranges.
    faceWidth = random(75, 200);
    faceHeight = random(180, 230);
    eyeSize = random(20, 40);
    mouthWidth = random(15, 60);
    mouthHeight = random(5, 30);
    faceColor = random(100, 255);
    noseWidth = random(30, 50);
    noseHeight = random(5, 15);
    pupilSize = random(5, 15);
  
}

I was inspired by Edvard Munch’s The Scream, and decided to make a piece that generated different styles and stages of shock or surprise. I chose the off-putting color scheme to reflect the weird expressions. It was hard to figure out the change in color initially, but I figured it out quickly.