Generative Art - Spring 2020
This is a presentation of selected generative art created by students of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Creating both analog and digital generative art, these students investigated the use of interactivity, chance operations, algorithms and automation. The semester started by exploring giving up control and embracing the use of randomness and aleatory techniques. We did this to create automated processes that stretched our collective definitions of artistic intent, authorship, permanence and eternal value.
At midterm, we began distance education and working in isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It soon became clear that randomness, uncertainty, and giving up control are part of the practice of both art and life. I am very proud of the artists and their work, which was created under difficult circumstances.
I hope you enjoy the art as much as I do.
-- Robert Spahr