Boredomresearch: Ornamental Bug Garden 001, 2005

Peering through the square window of ornamental bug garden 001(obg001) viewers see a population of spring objects attempt to space themselves evenly across the floor. Many are forced onto wires, the arrangement of which encourages their assent until they are either ejected by a falling weight or reach the top where their only option is to jump. On their decent they collide with flowers and bubbles before ending back on the floor, causing all their comrades to shuffle around From this point the cycle begins again. In the work the sensation or illusion of life is our key interest rather than a desire to create life itself. We are fascinated how simple rules can be combined to create systems that exhibit complex behaviour. The sound that is output from the system carries the signature of emergence.

Collaborating as boredomresearch, Southampton based Vicky Isley and Paul Smith have gained an international reputation for interrogating the creative role of computing. Their enthusiasm for scientific modeling techniques and fascination with natural systems inspires them to produce beautifully crafted software art that presents an exciting alternative to our technologically fraught lives. Currently they are both Research Fellows in Computer Animation & Computer Art at the National Centre of Computer Animation, Bournemouth University UK.

More info: http://www.boredomresearch.net/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• life
• computer
• art
• behaviour
• simulation
• Visualisation
• Vizualisation
• Animation