See the clip from Protrude, Flow, an interactive installation of liquid architecture. Sachiko Kodama is behind this technique that uses magnetic fluid to combine with dynamic, organic shapes in order to represent human emotion via pulsating lustrous liquids. There is little machine-like about this installation which serves to show desire and passion towards life. SM








George Stadnik creates Digital Lumia, or light sculptures, by using optical simulation algorithms and software. The result is a virtual optical machine in which compositions of colour sequences are rendered. Digital Lumia compositions are available as DVDs or LightJet prints.









Chelsea’s XL Bar in New York is outfitted with projectors that fill the XL sky with clouds. Throughout the night the walls and tables change colour. All ambiance, all the time.

Don Relyea is an artist, musician and programmer whose website is home to a variety of screensavers, wallpapers, art and MP3s that he has created over the years as well as to the “Digital Postmodern Modernist Generator”. This software enables resampling of images and automating the design process. The first version of the generator sampled bitmaps, but the second version is completely generative and has more layering, as well as rectangular shapes in the foreground. Version 3 includes the manipulation of vector shapes. The colour palettes are based on the colour theories of Josef Albers, as well as combinations of colours used in artworks chosen by Relyea.



Lesion Functional (Version 2).



Alcove Torpid (Version 3).


Relyea also uses algorithms to create abstract geometric art and has a series of animated pixel art portraits. There are a number of animated art engines on Relyea’s website that sample pixels and create images while the viewer is watching. A lot of the drawing is based on various math functions.



Blue Orange Frames (abstract geometric art).



Io Moth (screensaver).

Ambient Devices and E Ink have joined forces to create the ulitimate home weather device. The Weather Wizard is a simple household device that forecasts local weather using electronic paper. It continuously displays 5-day weather forecasts that are broadcast in real time over Ambient's nationwide wireless network. The size of a postcard, the unit easily stands on a dresser or hangs on a refrigerator door. Simply enter a zip code and the product will show you the latest local weather forecast at all times. The Wizard can operate continuously for two years on just two AAA batteries, so it is always accurate and does not require any cords or cables. JGB

+ ambientdevices.com
+ eink.com

Daniel Browns is the creator of Software As Furniture, computer technology using projectors and plasma screens, which brings us ever-changing digital canvases and wallpapers. On Growth and Form (pictured) is part of the SAF Flowers series. A limited edition CD-ROM will soon be available.



Violet has produced a friendly Wi-Fi bunny named Nabaztag that works with the internet to bring users weather updates, air quality and traffic reports (Parisian, that is), e-mail alerts and pick up signals from other networked bunnies. The Nabaztag is a spoken and musical messenger that personalizes information intake as its tummy lights up.



In the Mod is a website that takes a selection of well-known artworks and breaks them down according to the hundred of thousands of colours used. These are then distilled into a more manageable palette for designers and developers today. These colour analytics take into consideration the frequency of colours used and allow one to create variations by using linear algebra.






Retrievr is an experimental service that allows users to search through Flickr image files by drawing a rough sketch of the image one is searching for. It is more of an exploratory tool than a search tool as the sketches are more useful in leading to the discovery of like shapes and colours rather than precise images. Fun all the same. SM