Examples of Generative Art, created by code.
Source: Clinton Francis http://www.occur.com.au/
Producing artwork has traditionally been the domain of individuals with special talent or expertise, (otherwise known as, um, artists). But just as many of us think nothing of a bit of Twitter banter with Barack Obama or Kim Kardashian, we’re also keen to become part of the artistic process – to break down the barriers, join the conversation and claim ownership in our experience of appreciating creative works.
Rather than produce a final, definitive work, generative artists create a template for interaction – a fluid engine that responds to tweaking and manipulation by the audience. The artist’s role is to implement the process or tool – it’s up to the audience to ‘create’ the piece.*
Clinton Francis is passionate about generative art. He devised his own generative art engine using Flash, with which he constructs clever compositions for corporate campaigns, business cards, experimental images and other fun stuff.
It’s the digital aspect of Francis’s work that makes it so appealing in our internet-obsessed age, partly because his designs translate easily into apps. His ‘Second Nature’ app allows users to enhance their own Facebook photos with organic images designed by Francis. “As the user paints a path with their mouse, colourful vines and tendrils sprout out and blossom adding detail to the artwork”, he says.
Although most modern generative art is computerised, it’s not a new concept and it doesn’t just apply to visual art. Mozart used randomisation to create the ‘Musical Dice Game’ in 1757, in which a predetermined sequence of music played according to numbers rolled on the dice. Randomly generated works exist in pretty much all creative realms including literature (for example, online ‘poetry engines’), video and lighting.
As we become increasingly entrenched in technology’s capabilities, our experience of art will continue to morph in new directions. It’s kind of thrilling to think that we can all be artists – even if the doodles on our notepads suggest otherwise.
* Some generative art is simply art created by code – in that sense it is not always the audience who produces the end-product, but all generative art essentially utilises a non-human element in the creation process, whether it’s an algorithm, an analogue mechanism or some other creative tool for combining elements in a unique and unpredictable way.
Want to read more about Generative Art? Try:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_art
- http://www.generativeart.com/
- http://generative.net/read/home
- http://www.generatorx.no/category/generative-art/
Source:
http://becomefreelancers.com.au/art-by-code/