Broken Unknot (TEZOS)

Broken Unknot is an abstract textural geometric exploration of an initial state of idealized perfection that has fallen from grace into an imperfect state. The artist contends that the imperfect form is preferable to the perfect form - embracing flaws and inconsistencies, eschewing rigor and formality.

Each composition begins with a single unbroken circle (topologically an "unknot") that is coiled in various manners to fill the page space. It is then decorated in a manner analogous to stringing beads onto a necklace, including the possibility for unexpected variations in the sequencing of the bead pattern. That perfect circle and its decorations are then subjected to various abuses.. including breaking the chain into multiple disconnected segments, potentially eliminating loose beads in the process, quantizing it onto a regular lattice, and virtually shaking it into various deformations.

Released as two separate versions for BASE and TEZOS that are loosely synchronized to produce iterations that are of similar "character". That is, while each version will differ in the specifics of generation, the more-general parameters affecting more-major aspects of the composition will be similar for any given iteration number between the two versions - in a diptych-like manner of semi-matching pairs. Clever minters might be able to intuit a rough idea of potential future output from one version based on prior minted iterations of the other version.

This work was designed for producing plot-ready vector output for a physical pen plotter. The on-screen (raster) image is only intended to simulate how a physical plot might appear. As such, the on-screen rendering is intentionally minimalistic, with few other distractions from the raw pen traces. Upon close inspection, the detailed plotter paths are intentionally revealed in the preview - no solid fills are used, despite any illusion of such that might occur at small scales.

CONTROLS:

Press 'p' to save PNG at current resolution
Press 's' to save SVG (current resolution doesn't matter)

Press a number key to adjust resolution (prior to saving PNG):
'1' : 1100px x 1700px (11" x 17" @ 100dpi)
'2' : 2200px x 3400px (11" x 17" @ 200dpi)
'3' : 3300px x 5100px (11" x 17" @ 300dpi) (default)
'4' : 4400px x 6800px (11" x 17" @ 400dpi)
'5' : 5500px x 8500px (11" x 17" @ 500dpi)
'6' : 6600px x 10200px (11" x 17" @ 600dpi)

DIY plotting tips: First, there are no rules, so feel free to use whatever combination of pens, paper and color you wish. Having said that, if you wish to mimic the screen output, even if just as a starting point for further exploration: At native scale, a nib diameter of about 0.4mm on 11" x 17" smooth paper is suggested. Will also fit at native scale centered on A3 paper, though the margins will vary. If scaled up/down to fit larger/smaller paper, adjust pen size accordingly. Finer pens will tend to reveal the spiral fill pattern and create a more open feel, while broader pens will tend to merge adjacent forms and create a denser feel. Expensive implements are not required - even a "cheap" ballpoint pen, on "cheap" office paper, can produce pleasing results. Generally it is best to plot lighter colors first, followed by darker colors - so if using custom colors you may wish to alter the plot sequence to accommodate. You may plot multiple layers with the same color to reduce the total number of colors, or even elect to not plot certain layers at all to increase white-space in the composition. You might also try varying the pen size on colors you wish to emphasize/deemphasize.

Note that this generator is capable of producing occasional dense outliers that may be more challenging to plot successfully. A summary of the resulting plot complexity is provided in the console after generation - for planning purposes, if needed.