Nil #21

A balanced combination of spatial subdivision and algorithm sonification. A subdivision surface algorithm is recursive in nature: the process starts with a base level of area, and a refinement scheme is then applied to this field. This process takes that element and subdivides it, creating new segmented areas. The positions of the new areas are computed based on the positions of nearby old fields, edges, and/or faces. A cellular automata is running on the texture of some of these areas, building continuous, tautological worlds of binary patterns and relationships. Thus, unfolding of a pixel’s ‘umwelt’ can be witnessed through the slow, contemplative process.

The audio synthesis consists of a stochastic melody that emerges along the division of the new areas and territories within the image structure. This melody is complemented with tiny micro sounds, triggered by each new generation of the surface mounted cellular automata.

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