Swarmachine #154

Audiovisual generative artwork.
"Swarmachine" is the closest thing to a useless machine that actually works.
In this dichotomy, a swarm of sensitive automatons can be seen carrying out complex cooperative work of misunderstood utility. From a strange coordination, the micro-square society builds its habitat. Influenced by each other, they relate from a sonorous dance. And this is how the swarm lives and reveals -finally- the essence of its own machinery: vestiges and ephemeral moments before leaving.

4 main audiovisual gestures of sonorous dance:

1. Basic loop
   Each square performs quadrangle movements. It begins and ends at the same point accompanied by a sound.
2. Contact moment
   Appears when a square reaches a corner of its path and makes contact with another square.
3. Gesture kamikaze-release
   Sometimes these "contact moments" result in an impact between the two squares in question, transforming both into a single gesture of fusion, and subsequent release of the swarm.
4. Queen loop
   Appears when the queen is sighted. Main square that keeps the essence of the machinery.

This artwork is 100% code, made in p5.js. All sounds are synths programmed in the tone.js library.

[ Click ] -> sound ON / OFF
[ s ] -> save 2160x2160px (in live view)
[ f ] -> fullscreen
[ p ] -> pause / play

Note: This artwork is an animated piece, and requires a powerful GPU for optimal real-time playback. It is important to note that it may not run properly on mobile devices, especially not high-end ones.
It is recommended to run the piece in a new window from the “open” button.