This series delves into a glitch style technique called pixel sorting, which is generally known to be used as a post-processing method in photography. Pixel sorting is a procedure that isolates segments of pixels and sorts their positions based on any number of criteria (i.e. luminosity, hue, saturation). 

Assorted Positivity is a generative approach to making pixel sorting art without any photographic base. The algorithm uses several types of noise to generate an initial design, each one unique to the token and specifically conducive to pixel-sorting. The sorting displaces pixels in various directions based on their grayscale value; and hues determine how the sorting ends. Sometimes the sorting lends itself to a sort of drip look and other times it presents itself as depth and shading.

This project was initially influenced by my desire to sort past the ubiquitous negativity online and focus on the positivity, generosity, and genuine thoughtfulness that I have witnessed around this genart space--with collectors, artists, and people who simply appreciate the community.

Integrated into each piece is an uplifting adjective that is visible, yet blended into the art. At a glance, the viewer may not notice the steganographic message that is conveyed by an international visual method of telegraphing words. Each word is one that I imagine being used to describe people in the community, their actions, artists, and/or their work.

Every output brings me joy, and is a reminder to treat others with kindness and positivity.

Watch as the pixels sort themselves out. 

Rendering is best viewed in Chrome on a desktop with a high end GPU.

A portion of the proceeds will go toward the international Make-A-Wish Foundation in the hopes of bringing some joy to critically ill children around the globe.

Assorted Positivity

*The purpose of life is to live.*

**Essenza** is a labor of love. The essence of Art in my eyes.
And Art, sometimes, can haunt you. Can consume you.

When you pour yourself into something, it's hard to let it go.

Born from a sketch made more than 3 years ago, this was intended to be my genesis on Art Blocks.
It took me another year and a half, countless refinements, Rinascita, more refinements, and a rewrite from scratch to finally be ready to share this with the rest of the world.

It's personal, and it's intense. A fragment of my story.
The end of an era, and hopefully, the beginning of a new one.

No matter how hard it can be. If you truly love something, you need to learn how to set it free.

Essenza

# eternity stirs
my finger stirred the pool. 
iridescent specks at this distance. 
molecules separated by infinities, 
attracted by a gentle gesture. 
matter built on reducible complexity, 
remarkable what emerges from the soup.

the specks of light flash for a moment, 
then flame out. 
the arc of their burning wick 
painting pictures; 
heating arguments;
bleeding in the darkness. 

helpless to start or stop anything, 
bodies in motion, 
tending to stay in motion,
until the fuel runs out.

# can there be beauty in pain?
Flora, Fauna, False gods & Floods continues a theme I began in Beauty in the Hurting. When turbulent acts of god subvert best-laid plans, is there beauty in the broken images of life we leave behind?

Left alone, these images would resolve to nearly symmetrical dreamlike ink blots of meaning:  a flower, a feathered creature, or a figure of worship. In fact, what is most beautiful in their image may lay outside the frame. 

The final resting frame in each composition does not paint the whole picture. You must go looking for it. Interact with each composition by following the controls below.

# **saving**
* **a key** - download transparent uncropped print
* **s key** - download print

# **controls**
* **f key** - toggle speed up / slow down at 5x speed
* **h key** - toggle speed up / slow down at 20x speed
* **r key** - reset the camera view
* **click/touch** - while rendering, toggles between full view and follow view, when finished, cycles through zoom levels
* **click/touch and drag** - change the cropping of the image
* **click/touch again after dragging** - restore the default image crop for the current zoom level

flora, fauna, false gods & floods

Computation is one of the most powerful tools for our age. It opens up a whole world of possibilities. Some people use its power to solve the mysteries of our universe through science. I’m using it to explore our relationship with beauty and perception.

“Miragem” *(Mirage in Portuguese)* is a generative project that requires your slow attention. It’s an exploration of rhythm, balance, and texture. Just simple elements in a coordinated dance, ruled by math and randomness.

**It’s an invitation for the eyes and mind to wander.**


 >>  ‎  
>> ## “Beauty is the mystery of life. It is not in the eye, it is in my mind. In our minds there is awareness of perfection.”
>> Agnes Martin

 ‎
*Please check the project website to know more about the composition and features.*

Miragem

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)

Art Blocks Presents

Paths #489

Darien Brito

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