looking outwards – 03 Section A

Chrysalis by Matsys (Andrew Kudless)

This piece is a static parametric object after a certain point of algorithmic generation that is supposed to represent a “chrysalis” of sorts made of barnacles. I really like how natural it looks, like a naturally formed coral of sorts, or just marine rock that is completely covered with barnacles. A computational medium actually seems perfect for this type of creature as they are inherently geometric in form yet uniquely distinct from one another.
From the video Kudless provides on his website, you can tell that he wrote an algorithm that has all the shapes of the barnacles set already being attached to each other, so the shapes changing are all relative to each other–they all change together. Thus, the physically fabricated product is a static rendering of a paused moment during this algorithm.
In lieu of what I usually love about algorithmic art is its capability of simulating spontaneity through a controlled form of randomization–a combination of pattern/regularity but with the “naturalness” of how uniquely arbitrary entities in nature are from their own species. So, Kudless’ sensibilities work perfectly with emulating the “generativeness” of how barnacles reproduce and exist and infusing that with the medium of sculpture to create an aesthetic beauty.

https://www.matsys.design/chrysalis-iii