OWEN SCHUH, Watershed, 2019

Before I started using mathematical functions to make art, I worked almost exclusively from life. In particular I was obsessed with the challenge of representing trees, in all of their manifold complexity and detail. The branching pieces use algorithms which mimic the type of complex, yet self similar growth that one sees in nature. I use an algorithm from the field of theoretical biology known as a context sensitive Lindenmayer System. Like actual plants, such branching systems grow throughout and the growth of any given segment is dependent upon the neighboring segments. These algorithms generate realistic models of branching growth, be it blood vessels, roots or tree limbs. The process has several steps. First I perform the algorithm, which generates a set of bracketed ones and zeros. This is then translated into a branching configuration with branch lengths and types. Then the branch width and angle are calculated based on the the relative "volume" of each of the branches, as well as the size and color of the leaves. From this the final image is drawn. "Branching Study for Watershed" OS141 is the "study" this piece is based off.  Same algorithm as "Algorithmic Botany" OS036 but with 4 more itterations. - Owen Schuh