Geomgen
 
 
GEOMGEN
Media Art & Technology Program
University of California Santa Barbara, 2006
C/C++, OpenGL

The compass and straight edge are the most basic tools of Euclidean geometry (often the first instuments of a high school math class). From these simple devices, a wide range of mathematical puzzles and problems arise. Geomgen explores the elemental aspects of lines, circles and proportion through generative systems. Like fractals, Geomgen relies on iteration and substitution to produce a huge range of output. However, most fractals such as th Mandelbrot Set or th Serpinski gasket rely on deterministic iterative functions. Geomgen employs simple set of rules in a probablistic way, occasionally deciding to bisect a circle, to subdivide a line, or connect two points with a line.

Geomgen creates recursive, yet unpredictable, images of basic Eucliean geometry. By selecting both irrational proportions, and also pleasing ones such as the Golden mean, Geomgen produces images which are both in or out of balance. Due to its probablistic nature, the output often contains structure at multiple scales.