"Morphogenesis", the development of an organic object

In "Morphogenesis" an organic object is modified in real time via evolutionary and genetic concepts. The object is displayed in stereoscopic 3D and seems to float in flowing movements in space. The user generates random mutations of the current object, which are shown in a static bar below the current object. If he/she selects a mutation, this is then the starting point for the next mutation step and the additional organs slowly grow out of the object. The resulting forms of the mechanical sculpture are "mixed" live via a mixing console: lengths, curvatures and complexity of the moving object are changed.

"Morphogenesis" is designed as a machine for generating forms, which should create a sensual experience. The aesthetic "product" is subject to a mathematically exact concept. The user navigates through his choice within a mathematical possibility space of forms. Compared to classical form development, control over form details must be left to the system. However, this does not limit the sensual result, on the contrary: the concept should be measured precisely by its results. The mathematics is designed in such a way that the results have an aesthetic consistency and, with the love of craftsmanship, create a sensual experience in stereoscopic view.

In addition to the interactive computer installation a website was developed. On the website the organic object is presented as a single image, following the same evolutionary principle as the one underlying the object on the screen in the museum room. When the user clicks on "Mutate", six changes of the object are displayed as single images. If he/she selects one of the single images, it becomes the starting object of the next mutation.

By merging the museum version with the net version, which operate on the same data set, "Morphogenesis" early on took up the interaction of visitors in the museum with the users on the net.

production:
ZKM | Institute for Visual Media, Karlsruhe, DE

Application software: Bernd Lintermann
Control unit design and manufacturing: Ulrich Weltner
Textures: Alexander Weiß