Artist Statement
Motive
I have an obsessive fascination with the visions, ideas, and processes that inspire my work. The creation of vivid depictions, expressions, and constructions of these imagined and emergent realities is my primary preoccupation in life. Abstract Vision When I close my eyes I can see an endless parade of vivid, three dimensional, animated abstract visions. These compelling perceptions and the ideas they inspire are fundamental to my work. I'm fascinated with the abstract visual language of shapes and colors. Abstract shapes and colors are fundamental to reality and our perception of it. Though many may consider the abstract simply a genre of art, it's actually the essence of art, and everything else. The abstract is the universal language of consciousness, nature, and reality itself. My work is an exploration of these ideas. |
Art and Technology
I've been making virtual art using 3D computer graphics for over thirty years. As technology has advanced, so have the ways in which I can share my virtual creations. Digital ink jet printing enabled me to make high quality prints. 3D printing lets me bring my virtual art into the physical world. Virtual reality makes it possible to experience my art in it's natural habitat. Using Artificial-Life and AI, I create living virtual creatures with complex emergent behavior that is expressive and creative. I work with Artificial Neural Networks (AI art tools) in the creation of artworks.
I've been making virtual art using 3D computer graphics for over thirty years. As technology has advanced, so have the ways in which I can share my virtual creations. Digital ink jet printing enabled me to make high quality prints. 3D printing lets me bring my virtual art into the physical world. Virtual reality makes it possible to experience my art in it's natural habitat. Using Artificial-Life and AI, I create living virtual creatures with complex emergent behavior that is expressive and creative. I work with Artificial Neural Networks (AI art tools) in the creation of artworks.
Spatial Presence
The fundamental innovation of virtual reality is spatial presence - the sense of being in a place. Spatial presence is an entirely new communication medium. For the first time in human history we can directly transmit the first person subjective experience of reality, independent of actual reality.
The fundamental innovation of virtual reality is spatial presence - the sense of being in a place. Spatial presence is an entirely new communication medium. For the first time in human history we can directly transmit the first person subjective experience of reality, independent of actual reality.
Reality as an Art Form
I approach virtual reality as an artistic medium in and of itself. I construct realities that are native to virtual reality and not constrained by the limits of physical reality. They do not simulate or depict realities, they are realities in and of themselves.
I approach virtual reality as an artistic medium in and of itself. I construct realities that are native to virtual reality and not constrained by the limits of physical reality. They do not simulate or depict realities, they are realities in and of themselves.
Life, Intelligence, and Consciousness
I'm fascinated by the idea of intelligent artificial-life and the inevitable questions it inspires - What is life? What is intelligence? What is consciousness? In my VR project, Anandala, I explore these questions by incorporating intelligent, artificial-life creatures as an integral part of the virtual world. They are quite simple compared to life as we know it, yet they exhibit complex emergent behavior. They are expressive, emotive, social, curious, and creative. They are aware of themselves and others. Interacting with these virtual beings can inspire surprising insights into the nature of life, intelligence, and consciousness. Using AI art tools has provided new capabilities and more surprising insights in these areas.
I'm fascinated by the idea of intelligent artificial-life and the inevitable questions it inspires - What is life? What is intelligence? What is consciousness? In my VR project, Anandala, I explore these questions by incorporating intelligent, artificial-life creatures as an integral part of the virtual world. They are quite simple compared to life as we know it, yet they exhibit complex emergent behavior. They are expressive, emotive, social, curious, and creative. They are aware of themselves and others. Interacting with these virtual beings can inspire surprising insights into the nature of life, intelligence, and consciousness. Using AI art tools has provided new capabilities and more surprising insights in these areas.
Process
Technology provides me with an endless palette of new possibilities and enables me to dissolve traditional boundaries of medium, process, style and genre. My process integrates deliberate design and random happenstance - painting and sculpture - realism and abstraction - nature and technology - art and mathematics - science and mysticism - philosophy and humor. People often say "We are only limited by our imagination." I've found that with technology I can create things I could never have imagined. Using directed randomness, procedural rule based systems and artificial life, I can create my own laws of nature and explore what emerges. Discovery and the search for novelty are central to my creative process. Novelty is a fundamental aspect of awe. |
The Science of Awe
I explore and study neuroscience in an effort to understand the mechanisms of perception and how art and nature produce transcendent states of consciousness. The understanding I've gained from my research has become integral to my work. I've developed a variety of artistic techniques to activate the neurological processes that are fundamental to awe.
In recent years awe has become recognized as a unique emotion. The science of awe has made its way into popular culture through mainstream media. As an artist focused on awe, it's been exciting to see its incredible benefits identified, verified, and demonstrated by the scientific community. Scientific studies have proven that awe, as experienced through art and nature, has significant mental and physical health benefits. It reduces stress, anxiety and inflammation, and has positive effects on attitude, behavior and well being. Awe inspires accommodation, the re-evaluation and reformation of our models of reality and self, which can bring about lasting positive changes to attitude and personality.
I explore and study neuroscience in an effort to understand the mechanisms of perception and how art and nature produce transcendent states of consciousness. The understanding I've gained from my research has become integral to my work. I've developed a variety of artistic techniques to activate the neurological processes that are fundamental to awe.
In recent years awe has become recognized as a unique emotion. The science of awe has made its way into popular culture through mainstream media. As an artist focused on awe, it's been exciting to see its incredible benefits identified, verified, and demonstrated by the scientific community. Scientific studies have proven that awe, as experienced through art and nature, has significant mental and physical health benefits. It reduces stress, anxiety and inflammation, and has positive effects on attitude, behavior and well being. Awe inspires accommodation, the re-evaluation and reformation of our models of reality and self, which can bring about lasting positive changes to attitude and personality.
The Power of Art
Art can entertain, shock, raise awareness, provide political and social commentary, provoke intellectual inquiry and emotional response. The objective and theme of my work is to inspire a transcendent experience of profound beauty, mystery and awe, and provide unique insights into the nature of reality, life and consciousness. I envision and express a positive potential future for humanity and technology.
Art can entertain, shock, raise awareness, provide political and social commentary, provoke intellectual inquiry and emotional response. The objective and theme of my work is to inspire a transcendent experience of profound beauty, mystery and awe, and provide unique insights into the nature of reality, life and consciousness. I envision and express a positive potential future for humanity and technology.