Metallic gel ink on black cotton paper, 20 x 30 in. Set of eight.

Dependency Tree is a series of eight paintings created with a robotic pen plotter. The robot follows instructions produced by a generative algorithm that creates a unique output each time it runs. These eight paintings comprise a representative sample of the program’s output, and consider the similarities between electromechanical algorithms that power computation and biochemical algorithms that produce life.

Multiple sine wave oscillation functions, each with differing periods and amplitudes, combine to alter the size and orientation of thousands of polygons to create a cluster of fish-like forms. These forms flow around an eddy current located near the center of the canvas, producing a vortex of layered colors.

This series is available for purchase here.