Shawn Lawson: Migrations

Artist(s):

• Shawn Lawson

Title:

Migrations

Exhibition:

• SIGGRAPH 2008: Slow Art

Creation Year:

2008

Category:

• Animation and Video

Artist Statement:

Migrations is inspired by experiencing observed animal behavior in the natural world. Each of these vignettes represents an accumulation of simulated flocking movement. Every individual image has a different interpretation of mathematized nature. The goal is not to render an accurate depiction, rather it is to comprehend time and movement aesthetically.

The images are rendered in an OpenGL frame buffer and saved for minimal post-processing. Simulations use 100-300 animals and run for 3-12 hours. Images are output via a chromia printer, a process that exposes photo paper with a laser from a digital file.