Atelier de l'Aléatoire #111 - Limited Edition 1 of 20 Artwork

The Atelier de l’Aléatoire is a series of applications I wrote over the past 10 years that generates images using computer scripts. I research how to control random feeds of numbers to create abstract compositions. The application is designed to interact with the user to create a unique image that can be printed. In this iteration, I challenge the user with one simple question: “How much chaos can you take?”. The answer is to be provided by entering a number from 0 to 9. 0 being no chaos, 9 a lot. Once a key is pressed, the computer draws from the computer clock a unique set of more or less random numbers and the drawing starts. To stop the drawing and save the image, the user presses the “enter” key. The Atelier de l’Aléatoire has three purposes: provide a playful experience, educate the user in the skill of seeing art, and offer a unique opportunity to walk out of a museum with a piece of art. The experience starts with an unusual playful challenge: daring chaos. What happens if I chose a little rather than a lot? Will I get the same result as the previous user? How different a result can I get? Do I prefer simple over complicated? The fine alignment of Mondrian’s Composition with Yellow, Blue and Red or a more playful variation like Broadway Boogie Woogie? The simple rhythmical progression of Miro’s Bleu 3 or the more complex intrication of lines and colors in Pollock’s Summertime? In the context of the Atelier de l’Aléatoire chaos is defined as all the possible permutations of distortions of shapes and colors. The starting point is a few simple geometric shape neatly aligned on a grid. This is zero chaos. If the user chooses to add more chaos, distortions will occur such as rotation and movement of the shape, changes of scale, evolution of the color tones and transparency or superposition of the shapes. Factoring these distortions and combining them makes the elementary shapes and colors gradually indiscernible. Taking this process to the extreme we get an indistinct scrawl and the experiment loses its purpose. Controlling the amount of chaos allows us to potentially generates a unique interesting composition.

Mixed Media:Algorithmic Art on Paper

Artist Produced Limited Edition of:1

Size:14.2 W x 14.2 H x 0.4 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.