This project was an experimental project based on the idea of "computer awareness / vision". I started looking into things such as the Droste effect, Ouroboros and the works of M.C Escher which all share a theme of 'self reference" - i.e the images refer to and rely on themselves. From this point I started looking at ways I could use this idea of self reference, this got me thinking about loops, infinity, iteration and recursion. Looking at Biham–Middleton–Levine traffic model and considering the power of large scale iteration - in other words: allowing the loop (draw function) to loop for a long period of time. The effects of many thousands of iterations is very exciting as it can lead to an enormous amount of unpredictable change from the initial state. Keeping this in mind, I considered using controlled initial conditions, and limiting the number of variables that can effect the first frame ( the first frame is what the entire image relies on to be created). Sensitivity to initial conditions in a system like this can produce intriguing results - because this type of optical feedback loop imagery can appear entirely random, giving the viewer limited control over the initial state can allow them to further understand what is happening and also to get a deeper understanding of how important the initial conditions of this process can be.
In summary: The objective is to allow the user to set the appearance of the first frame - with only a few variables the user may control. Then allow the user to run the loop and see the outcome after a certain period of time, and then do it again using a very similar first frame and then compare the two final outcomes and see how dramatically different they are despite starting from practically the same starting point.
