Jeffrey Ventrella

Statement

I am a software artist working in virtual reality, data visualization, simulated worlds, and artificial life research. My specialty is emergence: the art of designing fundamental rules with a mathematical basis that result in complex, unpredictable forms and motions. I have a graduate degree from the MIT Media Lab, an MFA in computer art programming from Syracuse University, and a BFA in Art Education/Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University. I was a poor math student in school, but the discovery of fractals and algorithmic computer art in the late 80's set me on a new path, and a continually growing love affair with math as a language that can be experienced through the senses. Examples of my work can be seen at ventrella.com.

Artworks

This is a self-avoiding space-filling curve. It is described in my book: "The Family Tree of Fractal Curves" (fractalcurves.com). My algorithm is based on algebraic integers. After I have designed a fractal curve I render it in black on white and save the image. Then I drop it into an app (Gimp) where I can apply coloring. This curve was grown in the Eisenstein lattice. It is based on a generator with variable lengths (square root of 3 ratio). This allows the curve to have a cascade of shapes and textures at different scales. I am fascinated with the overall morphology of space-filling curves, and how simple fractal generators become complex and organic through recursion.