The project is based on the use of so-called cellular automata as a starting point for the creation of audio and video images in real time. Despite that cellular automata have been used in algorithmic art for some years, whether that be music or genres associated with visual images, their huge potential as systems that allow most visually feel the power of the meaning of the postulate “< = >” (less means more), in my opinion, still remain not fully uncovered.



A cellular automaton is a discrete model studied in mathematics, computational theory, physics, theoretical biology and micromechanics. It includes a regular lattice of cells, each of which can be in one of a finite set of states, such as 1 and 0. The lattice may have any number of dimensions. For each cell, there exists a subset of cells, called 'neighbourhood'. Thus, a neighbourhood may be defined as all cells at a distance of no more than 2 from the current one. To operate a cellular automaton, there is required a specification of an initial state of all cells, and rules of transition of cells from one state to another. New conditions for each cell are being determined at each iteration, using the state transition rules and the neighbour cells. Typically, the transition rules are the same for all cells and are applied immediately to the entire lattice.

In his famous book 'A New Kind of Science', entirely dedicated to the study of cellular automata, a mathematician Stephen Wolfram touches upon a subject of including real-life examples based on the use of simple rules for the construction of complex systems in nature. One of the most convincing mathematically and in terms of the visual appeal examples is a principle of pattern formation on the shells of some species of small tropical mollusks of genus Conus (in particular, Conus Textile and Conus Gloriamaris).* The pigment cells reside in a narrow band along the shell’s lip. Each cell secretes pigments according to the activating and inhibiting activity of its neighbour pigment cells, obeying a natural version of a mathematical rule. The cell band leaves the colored pattern on the shell as it grows slowly. The widespread species Conus textile bears a pattern resembling the Rule 30. It is noteworthy that this mollusk is extremely dangerous to humans and prior to the emergence of special equipment for diving was considered one of the rarest types of shells and, despite the much greater spreading among collectors today, its pattern is still considered to be one of the most beautiful.

For the 'Conus' installation I selected 5 shells with the most complex and expressive patterns. Each of them is attached to an individual small rotating platform and is constantly scanned by home-made digital microscopes. A purpose-written computer algorithm analyzes images of each of the shells and transforms them into control signals for the synthesis of sound (music) and visual images. The installation features several audio channels and 3 video monitors, through which the results of the analysis of the shells' 'code' are being broadcasted. The visual images and sound by themselves also represent the cellular automata, thus forming a direct relationship between biological and digital systems. It should be understood that the shells' pattern is not as geometrically correct and accurate as the graphic expression of a mathematical algorithm, so failures of code reading in system may occur. Such 'biological artifacts' will be picked up by specially provided digital failures (glitch), which will allow to equal both systems at the same time as 'correct', but also having a right for an error (mutation).

Pattern analysis - VVVV

Video generators and processors - DIY Cellular Automata Video synth (code by critter and guitari), ::vtol:: tv-404

Sound - DIY synths, Clavia Nord Modular g2, 6-channel sound system

Other equipment - steel, motors, plastic, DIY microscopes and electronics.

Special thanks to: Alexandra Gavrilova (stain.ws), Boris Kislitsin, Ivan Esin

Laboratoria Art&Science, Moscow, 2013

*Also check book "The Algorithmic Beauty of Sea Shells" by Hans Meinhardt.


Updated version (2019)