**FOCUS** is a 1000 image meditation, and it is my second release of Zen-inspired generative art, following [Ensō](https://www.artblocks.io/project/34).

This algorithm can produce images that are elegantly minimal, as well as images featuring complex patterns that explore visual illusions and artificial space. The limited palette consists of black, white, and five colors; this both constrains possible outcomes and allows the creation of unique perceptual interactions. Inspired by the Zen art tradition of doing more with less, FOCUS does not utilize any pseudo-random number generation, and each output can be recreated by hand using simple math, estimation, and dedication. Except in extremely rare scenarios, each token can provide a wide variety of visual experiences through its interactive features: use up and down arrows to adjust the pattern recursion factor, left and right arrows to adjust the midpoint count, ‘h’ to hide or show the central shape, and ‘s’ to save. FOCUS is best viewed live and full screen.

*Interactive features: use up or down arrows to adjust the background pattern's recursion, and left or right arrows to adjust the number of midpoints along the sides of the background pattern. Use ‘h’ to hide or show the central shape, and ‘s’ to save an image. To use the token's hash to 'autoplay' the token, use Matto's [FOCUS animator](https://matto.xyz/tools/focus-animator/index.html).

*Companion project: deFOCUSed  is a free-to-claim, 100% on-chain, generative art project, where every FOCUS token creates a deFOCUSed token. It's a free gift to my collectors. (Thank you!) [Claim Site](https://defocused.matto.xyz/) |  [More Info](https://matto.xyz/project/defocused/)

FOCUS

These shapes are nothing more than rectangles and lines.

And yet...

There is a concept in painting called 'pentimento', the presence of earlier forms or images that have been painted over. These could be changes that the artist made deliberately, or mistakes that they were able to cover. Sometimes as the paint fades, the pentimenti will be revealed, but often they will remain unseen.

The challenge is to recognize the pentimenti that influence the canvas, but cannot be found there even at the base layer. These are scattered throughout the years of the artist's life.

'Thoughts of Meadow' is a generative system that distorts a chess-like grid into complex shapes. Many of the outputs give the illusion of immense three-dimensional structures using simple geometric principles. It is an attempt to represent the concept of 'pentimento' through the rendering process. Each layer builds upon the complexity of the previous one but also covers it. If you look closely through the gaps in the grid, you can see the incremental changes that took place.

In that sense, this project is a reminder for myself of where I'm from, an incredibly small town called Meadow, and the gratitude I feel for the years I spent there. The first layer of my life's pentimento.

As always, I doubt this project would exist without the work and observations of Vera Molnár. Squares were certainly made for her, I just appreciate being able to borrow them once in a while.

Thoughts of Meadow

Paths is an animated journey across various subterranean and aboveground environments. To fully experience the project, you need to see it in high resolution with a capable GPU. Make sure that your browser uses your dedicated graphics card if any, and that you get a good frame rate. Control keys: 1-4 (change speed), 9 (fill aspect ratio), 0 (original aspect ratio), space-bar (play/pause)

Paths

“Phototaxis” is a simulated environment populated by simple machines. After Valentino Braitenberg’s 1984 book “Vehicles,” there are four kinds of machines with different wiring and behaviors: Explorers, Aggressors, Lovers, and Cowards. Each line charts the history of one machine’s movement. The core of this code was the foundation for my MicroImage series of works dating back to 2001. I’ve worked on it in fits and starts since then, and in 2021 it was further developed for Art Blocks. Press ‘P’ to play/pause, ‘B’ for the big bang, ‘1’–’5’ to change the magnification, and ‘L’ to reveal the lights’ locations.

Phototaxis

We've studied the strange geometric images since they appeared. Our instruments detect new shapes, new colors, more depth, and detail. Are they evolving, or just getting closer? More study is needed.

Art

Company

Learn