CS 591/491

 SPECIAL TOPICS IN
Information Visualization and Computational Design

Generative Forms

Hommage à Paul Klee 13/9/65 Nr.2 1965
'Hommage à Paul Klee 13/9/65 Nr.2', a screenprint of a plotter drawing created by Frieder Nake in 1965, was one of the most complex algorithmic works of its day. An algorithmic work is one that is generated through a set of instructions written by the artist. Nake took his inspiration from an oil- painting by Paul Klee... read more: Computer Art History
Schotter 1965
Georg Nees – «Schotter» is a computer graphic from the 1960s, produced by a structured operation by random generators that lead to the discovery of new images. This graphic visually displays the relationship between order and disorder, and the effects of change.
Evolved Virtual Creatures 1994
Karl Sims – This narrated computer animation shows results from a research project involving simulated Darwinian evolutions of virtual block creatures. A population of several hundred creatures is created within a supercomputer, and each creature is tested for their ability to perform a given task, such the ability to swim in a simulated water environment. The successful survive, and their virtual genes containing coded instructions for their growth, are copied, combined, and mutated to make offspring for a new population. The new creatures are again tested, and some may be improvements on their parents. As this cycle of variation and selection continues, creatures with more and more successful behaviors can emerge.
Yellowtail 1998
Golan Levin
Substrate 2003
Jared Tarbell – Lines likes crystals grow on a computational substrate. A simple perpendicular growth rule creates intricate city-like structures.
Process 2004–present
Casey Reas – Process works created by Casey Reas from 2004-2010. This work includes text descriptions and software interpretations of the text, as well as derived installations, prints, and objects. Process text
Form Study #1 2004
Jason Salavon – A synthetic, single-channel DVD for monitor displaying a long, slow pan across a shelf. On this rests a collection of 5000 unique elements. The individual objects were auto-generated by a somewhat intricate artist-authored system.
Nokia Friends 2009
Toxi + Universal Everything – This is the process documentation of this collaborative project with & for Universal Everything, our journey creating a generative motion graphics piece of unique squishy characters commissioned by Nokia originally for their Heathrow Terminal 5 presence, but used throughout their flagship stores worldwide too.
Furry 2009
Matt Pyke + Universal Everything
Tron Legacy 2010
JT Nimoy. – I spent a half year writing software art to generate special effects for Tron Legacy, working at Digital Domain with Bradley "GMUNK" Munkowitz, Jake Sargeant, and David "dlew" Lewandowski.
Communion 2011
Matt Pyke and FIELD – Hundreds of generative creatures are coming together in this hall-sized installation, to celebrate life in a massive communion. To an amazing polyrhythmic soundtrack, they dance through an evolution from primitive organisms to a variety of limbed little creatures.
Written Images 2011
Created in collaboration with more than 70 media artists and developers from across the world, Written Images is the first of its kind. A 'programmed book', continuously regenerated for the digital printing process, offering each reader a unique experience.
Partitura 2012
Abstract Birds and Quayola – Partitura is a custom software built in vvvv to generate realtime graphics aimed at visualising sound. The term “Partitura” (score) implies a connection with music, and this metaphor is the main focus of the project. Partitura aims to create a new system for translating sound into visual forms. Inspired by the studies of artists such as Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Oscar Fischinger and Norman McLaren, the images generated by Partitura are based on a precise and coherent system of relationships between various types of geometries.
Process & Lamp
Nervous System – The Hyphae Lamp is a new series of algorithmically generated lighting designs by Nervous System. Each lamp is individually grown through a process based on leaf vein formation. No two lamps are alike. Each lamp casts a unique pattern of branching shadows on the wall and ceiling, creating an ethereal and organic atmosphere. The lamps are 3D-printed to order in nylon and illuminated with eco-friendly LED lights. The first 10 lamps in the series will be available for purchase on July 11th.

People

Memo Atken
Joshua Davis
Robert Hodgin
Mario Klingemann / Quasimondo
Aaron Koblin
Marius Watz

Tools

Code tools for rapid prototyping and digital fabrication:
For Processing.
The following Processing libraries are available for 3D File input, output, and manipulation. All of the listings below are duplicated from the main Processing Libraries page, which also lists many additional toolsets: