deGenerative Art

Input Image: The initial, hand drawn image gretchen draws IRL in charcoal 

Negative image: The shape of the erased image. deGenerative art is the resulting interplace between the input image and the negative image. Each artwork is really two drawings (in some cases more) the input image and the negative image(s)

deGenerative Art Test: An test the studio will use to determine if the image can be classified as deGenerative. If the code gives us the same negative image every time, we do not pass the deGenerative Art Test.

generative art: Created with the use of automatic nonhuman systems that independently determine features of the artwork

 

Generative art refers to art that in whole or in part has been created with the use of an autonomous system. An autonomous system in this context is generally one that is non-human and can independently determine features of an artwork that would otherwise require decisions made directly by the artist. In some cases the human creator may claim that the generative system represents their own artistic idea, and in others that the system takes on the role of the creator.

 

In the call of the Generative Art conferences in Milan (annually starting from 1998), the definition of Generative Art by Celestino Soddu:

Generative Art is the idea realized as genetic code of artificial events, as construction of dynamic complex systems able to generate endless variations. 

 

//If the code gives us the same negative image every time, we do not pass the deGenerative Art Test. 

[this is a simple but accurate testing criteria!]

In some cases, I will make multiple of the same (or very similar) drawings and have the code generate the erasing creating different results. Sometimes these different negative images will be all erased on top of the same input image in an iterative process (Giacometti portraits)

Each Generative Project is a concept-software that works producing unique and non-repeatable events, 

Discussion on the eu-gene mailing list was framed by the following definition by Adrian Ward from 1999:

Generative art is a term given to work which stems from concentrating on the processes involved in producing an artwork, usually (although not strictly) automated by the use of a machine or computer, or by using mathematic or pragmatic instructions to define the rules by which such artworks are executed.

A similar definition is provided by Philip Galanter:

Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist creates a process, such as a set of natural language rules, a computer program, a machine, or other procedural invention, which is then set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a completed work of art.