Volute is the result of different stages of my experience in Generative Art over many years put together, drawing on early and new techniques plus my recent forays into long form generative art.

I set out to explore the essence of generative art, seeking, discovering, coaxing and exposing the variety of outputs from a simple system.

The soulless algorithm is counterbalanced by the exclusive use of colours from nature as prime sources. Brutal symmetries and complexities are softened by decentring and subtle layer transparencies. Pixel feedback loops generate radial symmetries and spirals, producing a variety of flower structures, volutes and arabesques. And when I view the results - their rhythm, their surprises, their flow - they justify for me my earlier choice of technical process.

My aim in Volute is to create, using gentle spiraling motion, the calming effect of marveling at flowers in nature.

Volute

Informed by the experience of separating after a long marriage, (Dis)entanglement explores the endless ways that relationships intertwine. Each unique generative image represents one of many possible moments across the arc of a relationship, from a couple eagerly pulling taut their new connection, to a union defined solely by knots hardened over time. Whether connecting threads are carefully untied, crumbling from neglect, or snapping from tension, many couples can still safely go separate ways when needed. For some, there is no easy escape. Domestic violence, sexual abuse, financial hardship, and cultural norms can all keep someone bound to a partner against their will. To help those in need, 10% of artist proceeds from each sale will be donated to InterAct of Wake County, a private, nonprofit agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. InterAct is recognized as a tax-exempt, 501 (c)(3) charity by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (EIN: 58-1320613).

[Dis]entanglement

Invasion Percolation is the first network visualization of modern network science and the first generative network art. The algorithm was built by Albert-László Barabási in 1994, and the surviving 1995 output opened the Hidden Patterns retrospective of BarabásiLab at ZKM Karlsruhe in 2021 and the Ludwig Museum in Budapest in 2020. The release of Invasion Percolation as a generative NFT is part of a hybrid performance involving the metaverse and the traditional gallery and museum space. Each copy of the 782 series, corresponding to the number of links on the published 1995 version of the work, will be printed and each printed work’s title, permanently recorded on the physical artwork, will be the NFT owner who generates the work. In rare instances, the algorithm will generate sculptures that will be 3D printed. The 2D and 3D prints will be shown at the Cyberart Gallery in Boston, Postmaster Gallery in New York, Ludwig Museum in Budapest (Hungary), and New Kriterion Gallery in Csikszereda (Transylvania, Romania), each location receiving unique artworks. With the release of Invasion Percolation as a generative NFT, empty exhibition spaces will gradually fill in thanks to the actions of the collectors, who generate and name the work.

Invasion Percolation

View Cards are generative abstractions of high-rise buildings. Based on the programmable artwork View Program, each View Card contains a randomized seed that selects one of 9 different window patterns, 4 different atmospheric conditions, and an overall color scheme based on 4 different reflections. Click on the Live View of the artwork to display your settings!

View Card

A yearning. For places we haven't been or seen.
Seasons come, seasons go, and at times how the sun slants through those leaves on an autumn afternoon stays with us - we try to recollect that fleeting memory or imagination - an escape from the mundane. To places far away. 

Fernweh is a window to that space , spaces we yearn to see. And as in nature, lines are never too straight, colours are as bright as they come.  
Generative art that anyone can relate to - there's something for everyone in Fernweh.
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Why Fernweh?

Fernweh is an attempt to strike a balance between the Figurative Art genre, the Generative Art medium and NFTs. Generative Art usually has very measured lines, intricate designs and a very well executed, "clean" and “sterile” feel to it. Figurative Art on the other hand is oft full of “Happy Little Accidents” as the legendary Bob Ross would have said - a smudge here, a blob there - relatable and human.

Talking of humans, the most sold and easily relatable works of art, be it paintings or photographs, are figurative in nature and are of landscapes. With generative art, this is usually not common - there’s a tendency to lean towards the abstract - and yes, abstractness is beautiful, personally as an artist, I love it. That said, a lot many of us relate easily to figurative art than to the abstract. My personal theory is that humans are always looking for quick answers and the comfort of recognizable surroundings and figurative art gives it to us on a platter. 

Fernweh tries to create that perfectly imperfect mix. Figurative art through procedural generation. Palettes with enough contrast and colour to be the living room’s focal point, art that anyone can relate to - an NFT that, hopefully, will not need a lot of explanations but complex and beautiful enough to attribute value to. Oh, and with one additional render each to satiate that abstract lover in us.

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Features & Generation

Each season's palette is drawn from random combinations of nearly 100K handpicked outcomes for Petal, Leaf, Veins, Connectors,  Leaf boundaries, Bark perforations and the background.

The rendered output transitions through 3 phases - Abstract, Original and Etched images. This means that each mint has three different renders that change based on the Transition attribute. Some will change everyday, some in a couple, some in a week's time and so on!  

See below how to Interact with Fernweh in Live View mode (full-screen): 
- In full-screen mode, watch your trees render and grow into a grove.
- Click the mouse in live-view to toggle through the three renders (Abstract, Original and Etched). It may take a few seconds to toggle through the three rendered views.
- Undisturbed, the transition of the renders reverts to Phase Attribute values.
- Press the key - "S" - to download the render you want to save. 

Please note that the render is a bit resource intensive and may take from 1 min to 2.5 mins to render and load.

Digital Art Display Giveaway: 10 minting addresses will be randomly chosen to receive a Smart Digital Art Display and frame! Winners will be picked once the minting is complete (shipping costs will be borne by the artist).

Enjoy your three renders! 

Art Blocks Presents

Volute #195

RVig

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