UNNATURAL SELECTION 2
Introduction
Over the last few years I have been steadily working towards creating a program designed to evolve artworks according to the audiences tastes and analyse patterns within this. The aim is to explore interactive art, parallels with un-authored creativity in nature and the relationship between artists and their audience.
The project will feature a display of 6 abstract digital images created by chance from a set of visual parameters. These will be displayed via a website or app.
The viewer will be asked to select their favourite image from the six and this selection will then influence the formation of the second generation. This is done by positively biasing the chances of the selected characteristics reoccurring in the next generation of images. Successive generations in a selection environment characterised by the viewing populations aesthetic choices will evolve the images. Put simply ‘artworks’ will begin to evolve.
It is unlikely that the project will evolve a single perfect artwork. This is not how evolution works in nature either. However, I do expect to see some evidence of grouping of characteristics, such as red squares being preferable by some, or low numbers of shapes being preferred by others. These groupings may be compared to distinct species of artwork beginning to form. These will be displayed on a secondary results analysis page on the website.
The aim is not to evolve artworks, but for the whole project to be considered an artwork and an important research project. Potential ‘add on’s’ around the main theme include:
· Informing anthropological studies on aesthetics,
· Allowing a link to a digital printing service or downloadable PDF
· Informing the viewer of their favourite species of artwork from multiple selections.
The project may help to answer questions on the psychological and cultural factors influencing aesthetic choices. Also, it may be a useful educational tool in teaching and building familiarity with making aesthetic decisions, whilst also being fun to do.
User Journey Illustration
Visual Parameters
As far as the parameters are concerned loosely they are:
· No of elements (1-100 or more)
· Textures (three or four basic levels of texture)
· Colours (15 colours)
· Type of shapes (limited to approximately 8 or ten 3D and 3D shapes)
· View point (not sure whether this is needed)
· Scale of shapes relative to each other (s,m,l)
· Sharpness of shape edge - degree of blurring (three basic levels)
· Opacity (three basic levels)
· Placement within a 2d Plane and elevation/ recession from that plane
The variables need to be diverse enough to give a good description of the range possible, but narrow enough to ensure that the images and choices available can sample a good cross section of the range.
People will select in variety of different ways. Some instinctive, some reasoned through a variety of personal aesthetic logics. This diversity in the selection environment mirrors the diversity in the natural environment. as such, I expect a diversity of Art Species to evolve.
· No of elements (1-100 or more)
· Textures (three or four basic levels of texture)
· Colours (15 colours)
· Type of shapes (limited to approximately 8 or ten 3D and 3D shapes)
· View point (not sure whether this is needed)
· Scale of shapes relative to each other (s,m,l)
· Sharpness of shape edge - degree of blurring (three basic levels)
· Opacity (three basic levels)
· Placement within a 2d Plane and elevation/ recession from that plane
The variables need to be diverse enough to give a good description of the range possible, but narrow enough to ensure that the images and choices available can sample a good cross section of the range.
People will select in variety of different ways. Some instinctive, some reasoned through a variety of personal aesthetic logics. This diversity in the selection environment mirrors the diversity in the natural environment. as such, I expect a diversity of Art Species to evolve.
