Diviso 4
1988
Diviso 4 (divided by 4) is a random generator of images, created for producing visual configurations with as much freedom as possible. The goal was to create very simple rules that were able to generate shapes and color combinations, different and unpredictable each time.
A square is colored and randomly divided into four parts which can each undergo a color transformation:
- acquisition of one of the adjacent colors;
- random variation of the chromatic components;
- chromatic inversion (complementary color).
Further subdivisions and new color variations are applied to the four obtained squares, and this procedure continues until reaching single pixels.
To not overly influence the results, real aesthetic rules were not envisaged beyond that of chromatic inversion, which was made much less likely. This does not always guarantee agreeable results, but allows for some variability in the configurations. Some images could possibly be more effective and evocative in cultures or perceptual systems other than our own.
- 1988
- First version prepared as a graduation project at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera (Academy of Fine Arts of Brera). Programmed in Turbo Pascal for an MSX2 computer with 256x424 interlaced pixels and 256 predefined colors.
- Exhibition at the conference “Art and Science” organized by the Bertolt Brecht Cultural Society of Milan.
- 1989
- Publication in the exhibition catalog “Beni mobili” (Movables) edited by Careof. However, the work on display was “Disegno e campitura” which was terminated after the catalog’s printing.
- 1997
- Java (applet) version with 512x512 pixel resolution and with a limit of 256 predefined colors.
- 2010-11
- Processing version offering automatic parameter variation and display of the resulting animation.
- 2016
- JavaScript version with the addition of an option to save the obtained image.