Author: can't do math

Project 1: Self Portrait

portrait
function setup() {
    createCanvas(800, 800);
    background(132);
}

function draw() {
    ellipse(width / 2 , height / 2, 360, 640);
    fill(225, 0, 132,);
    triangle(width / 2, height / 2, width / 2, 332, 464, height / 2);
    noLoop();
    ellipse(width / 2, 520, 200, 20);
    line(300, 520, 500, 520);
    fill(236, 236, 236);
    ellipse(320, 280, 64, 64);
    noLoop();
    fill(120, 72, 26);
    ellipse(320, 280, 28, 28);
    noLoop();
    line(448, 280, 512, 280);
    fill(252, 112, 148);
    ellipse(random(260, 540), random (420, 640), random(8, 16), random(8, 16))
    ellipse(random(260, 540), random (420, 640), random(8, 16), random(8, 16))
    ellipse(random(260, 540), random (420, 640), random(8, 16), random(8, 16))
    ellipse(random(260, 540), random (420, 640), random(8, 16), random(8, 16))
    ellipse(random(260, 540), random (420, 640), random(8, 16), random(8, 16))
    noLoop();
    fill(165, 42, 42);
    triangle(516, 52, 372, 164, 612, 436);
    rect(280, 64, 240, 128)
    noLoop();

}

One of the hardest parts of my project was getting the correct color and boundaries for the small pink ellipses. I wanted to exaggerate the issues with my complexion and really make the whole thing a little over the top and getting the random placement of the ellipses was difficult as they would appear on my other shapes or not exactly where I wanted them so it looked natural.

LO-1: Inspiration

One project I found particularly inspirational was the presentation and performance by the CMU Exploded Ensemble last spring. It featured real-time sound and visual editing with a lot of developed tools in Max for Live, as well as live musicians playing and editing their own sounds. The audio component was live improvisation while the visual component was editing of a piece of art which I can’t remember off the top of my head. I felt as though the performance and associated visuals really showed a future in digital performance in conjunction with acoustical instruments, since besides a few electric versions instruments in software are mostly midi-based, and combining technology with musical skill and creative talent could be a new form of music. I’ve based my minor around this possibility so I can combine my major in performance with my love of electronic music and sound editing. The performance was a large-scale project that was assembled over about a month in the Exploded ensemble class but fully improvisatory, and while the members of the ensemble collaborated on the creation of their scripts, they were not formally organized in the performance. I feel like the combination of modern musical talent and skill with the creative potential of digital sound design could be a new avenue for modern performance and is one I wish to explore and promote.

Performance website: https://subsurface.site/

Above is an example of what exploded ensemble does in performances: a combination of computer-controlled lights and improvised music. This image is taken from a 2018 performance in an abandoned mine.