Fractals and Flames
Artwork by Scott Draves
and the Electric Sheep
Fractals make abstract
maths visual and the beauty
of fractals has led to the
development of a whole branch
of computer generated art. In
1992 Scott Draves developed
Fractal Flames, open source
algorithmically generated images
and animations. By releasing
it as open source he enabled it
to be developed into software
programs that create fantastic
coloured fractals that can be
manipulated. These flames
can then be used as artworks
on their own or incorporated
into other works of art. To
find out more about fractal
art and how to create it visit
http://fractalfoundation.org/
resources/fractal-software/
which offers a great list of different
software programs that can be
used to generate fractal flames.
18
IGNIS
One of the main software
programs used to create flames
is http://www.apophysis.org/
An introductory video to using
Apophysis can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=YA3y4LTIEAI
The latest project by Scott
Draves is based on Apophysis.
Electric Sheep http://www.
electricsheep.org/ is a
collaborative art project. While
members "sleep", the Electric
Sheep kicks in. Computers
communicate with each other
through the internet sharing
the work of creating morphing
abstract animations known as
"sheep". The resultant flames
screensavers are then available
to generate new versions
automatically or with human
intervention. The result is incredible
fractal art that may or may not be
completely machine generated.