Fractals dazzles at the COMMOTION, to February 27
We can’t take our eyes off David Miller’s computer-generated works now showing in a web-exclusive exhibition
FRACTAL #1 by David Miller. Image courtesy the COMMOTION by Truth and Beauty
Fractals runs online at the COMMOTION by Truth and Beauty until February 27.
MOST PEOPLE ARE left-brained or right-brained—not both. David Miller appears to be equally strong in both hemispheres.
The Vancouver native had a full-on musical career as a performer, writer, musician, and recording engineer. As an advanced mathematician, he also became a programmer, co-writing computer programs for the likes of Disney. An avid photographer, he has recently turned his attention to digital and generative art, which he creates through math and computers in the form of fractals.
Fractals is the title of Miller’s web-exclusive exhibition that’s having its Canadian and series premiere at the COMMOTION by Truth and Beauty. The new online photography gallery was founded by Fractals curator Peppa Martin.
Because this isn’t the kind of language we care to play around with, here’s how Miller explains fractals in his artist statement:
“A 3-dimentional fractal is an infinitely complex, never-ending, recurring pattern. The more you magnify the view, the more the pattern repeats. Fractals occur in abundance in the natural world – we see them commonly in trees, rivers, mountains, and rock formations.
“Fractals can also be created with computers by calculating various formulae over and over. The primary formula was discovered by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot, hence the name given to this method is the ‘Mandelbrot Set’. It is a genre of computer/digital art considered to be part of the broader term, ‘new media art’. The mathematical beauty of fractals as abstract art lies at the intersection of generative art and computer art.
“Generative art refers to art that in whole or in part has been created with the use of an autonomous system.
“By using the formula’s mathematics, a 3D ‘object’ is created on the computer and then I move my ‘camera’ to any position outside, or even inside, the object. Through laborious exploration, I find infinite scenes. Those that appeal to me are edited for position, lighting and colour scheme, and then prints are made using a dye sublimation method on aluminum panels,” Miller says.
The COMMOTION is the new, all-digital reincarnation of Truth and Beauty, a commercial studio and gallery of contemporary photography that Martin ran in Vancouver from 2006 to May of 2020. She’s a gallerist, curator, art advisor and consultant, reviewer, professional photographer, and writer.
The Commotion virtual salon represents 90 independent international photographers and hosts digital exhibitions, talks and instructional workshops on Zoom, a podcast, public programs, and more.
FRACTAL #2 by David Miller. Image courtesy the COMMOTION by Truth and Beauty
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