Jeffrey Nickerson (new Jersey/USA)

These patterns evolved as a computer program strived to fulfill two goals at once. Good solutions combined themselves with other solutions, and mutated, creating a range of patterns. Specifically, the program draws branches which optimize two objectives: first, minimize the use of material - the length of all branches together - and second, cover as much of the area as possible, so that there is short path from any point in a square to the final structure. The structures the program finds are similar to those found in living things - for example seaweed. These patterns are useful in planning man-made structures such as road systems or computer networks.  
 

WEBSITE:
http://www.stevens.edu/jnickerson/optimages


Click on the "print" icon in right-column of website
for a pop-up window of this page
that is also printable.

Click here to return to Exhibition Index Page