Artists

Michael Rowan

Student

Oberlin College

United States

mrowan@oberlin.edu

Statement

I am an undergraduate at Oberlin college, and I am studying physics and mathematics. To me, one of the most inspirational aspects of these two closely related subjects is how simple rules can lead to unexpected structure. I like to create images that are guided by this principle.

Artworks

Image for entry 'Circle Fractal'

Circle Fractal

12" x 12"

Digital Print

2012

This image was produced by following a few simple rules. It begins with a circle, and then six circles with half the radius are draw inside the circle. The centers of the six circles are spaced evenly from each other, and each circle is touching the larger circle. This procedure is then repeated inside each circle. In this image, the procedure is repeated five times.
Image for entry 'Branches'

Branches

12" x 12"

Digital Print

2012

This image is composed of three identical "branch" structures. Each branch begins with a single line. At the end of each line, three additional lines leave the juncture. This recursive process is repeated eight times, and at each step, the width of the line is reduced. To produce the final image, a single branch was rotated about the center of the image, resulting in three identical branches. Each side of the equilateral triangle at the center of the image designates the beginning of one of the three branches.