Sammie Kim-Looking Outward-05

The Japanese computer graphic artist Yoichiro Kawaguchi was the first to build 3D computer generated images based on math and algorithms during the 1980s. He developed the course of image making, incorporating movements, realistic volumes, and high quality textures into his digital art. Kawaguchi calls this the “growth model,” a  “self organizing, formative algorithm for computationally reproducing branches or cell divisions.”  This specific artwork called Growth: Mysterious Galaxy was created in 1983, and it utilizes two essential techniques of ray tracing and metaballs. Ray tracing is an optical technique for calculating the luminance of each pixel, which defines the color to provide depth in the 3D image. I was particularly attracted to this piece due to its poppy and vivid colors and how the elements have such smooth and voluminous curves. As such, the recurring theme of his work is morphogenesis, reflecting on the principles of organic change and evolution—morphing the biological concept to create an artificial art piece.  When creating his art, he has a step by step process, starting with black and white geometric shapes and then allowing computer commands to evolve them into more complex and unknown figures.