We didn’t want to make circular patterns with the machine but random uncontrolled patterns. Most machines needed to be winded at regular intervals. So we used a DC motor in an inverted cup with ear-buds in the bottom rim dipped in ink. The cup moves continuously when the circuit is completed and moves in random directions making attractive patterns on the paper.
Art has become too vast and slowly is getting digitalised. Unfortunately many artists are leaving their paintbrush and easel; advancing into using computer science to generate art. Usage of software gives structure and shows the process. With the help of this new age art, the ideas and creativity are on a different level, making the artist think even further.
Generative art is where computer programs are used and patterns are automatically produced. Not only computers but different geometric figures and proportion can also be implemented to give this type of art. It can be said that a set of specific rules can be applied but using step by step algorithm does not make the art work generative. The structure is rule-based and commands are given to sometimes get unexpected outputs.
However, computers are needed for this art, e.g. Photoshop produces certain images impossible to create by hand; this makes it unique. It is similar to music as an electronic synthesiser will produce beats impossible to play by hand.
A special characteristic if generative art is that it’s not in the artist’s direct control e.g. throwing a dice; it’s a chance outcome where you don’t know how the end product will look like. Like Hans Haacke said-“always looks different, shape of which cannot be predicted precisely.” The aesthetic quality and authenticity shows in the result.
But we need to decide for ourselves- Is this art? Not thinking about whether it suits everyone’s taste or not- because it might not. But we should be able to justify our thought going into this- showing the expression and communicating ideas.
We went to a hackathon organised by Lens Bricks and my team was in the graphic design sector. Explained by famous Ted speaker Raghav; we were to design a webpage which would display pictures in a different way instead of the way it shows on social networking websites. The team consisted of 6 people; 3 of us amateur designers.
We created a website PICALORE; a travel and plan by yourself website where through images and various other functions people could plan their trips to any place in the world. Us, designers did the user interface. The work we did was appreciated by everyone and our group came first!
We went to KR Market where second hand machines are found. After hours of searching I managed to find a music box machine which is usually used to put babies to sleep.
I attached earbuds and paint brush dipped in ink which made patterns. It were very distant because the hook takes full turns. And the process can be seen in the video below.
How about mix it up a little! The simple machine I started out with, becomes more complicated. Working with a classmate, we attached a earbud and bent it like a straw. There putting couple of strings dipped in ink; we fixed the machine on the table. As we winded up the machine, the entire thing turned and created a circular pattern as seen in the picture.
I was unsure of how to experiment with machines like these as it was my first time. But nevertheless, I tried various things like suspending it with string and putting earbuds on the rotating portion, fixing thermocol and that just splat ink on the paper. It became a really abstract painting.