ABOUT THE ARTWORK

/aligned is a groundbreaking artistic endeavor emerging from the collaboration between celebrated artist Tim Maxwell and digital innovator Penzo. This unique artwork leverages Maxwell’s intricate, hand-drawn architectural designs, brought to life with Penzo’s expertise in WebGL and GLSL shaders. Permanently inscribed on the blockchain, /aligned not only immortalizes Maxwell’s art in digital form but also redefines how it can be experienced and interacted with.

/aligned is not just a piece but an experience, encapsulating 542 unique outputs generated from a single algorithm. Each output, while reflecting Maxwell’s artistic essence, is a new discovery that merges traditional artistry with modern digital techniques. The collector of /aligned can request a bespoke, physical drawing by Tim Maxwell, creating a tangible connection to this digital marvel.

CREATING /ALIGNED

When Tim Maxwell and Penzo embarked on their collaborative journey for /aligned, Penzo immersed himself in Maxwell’s intricate line work. This deep dive revealed more than artistic techniques; it exposed a profound personal coping mechanism embedded in each stroke. Motivated by this discovery, they expanded the boundaries of Maxwell’s traditional art into the realm of generative art. They innovatively used the earliest Bitcoin blocks as seeds for their digital creations, intertwining the artwork with the genesis of blockchain technology.

The decision to focus on a single generative piece for /aligned was bold and deliberate. This approach was not just about creating an artwork but also about maintaining its integrity and ensuring a unique experience for the collector. By limiting the project to one generative piece, they highlighted its bespoke nature, setting it apart from typical generative art collections that often feature multiple editions and embracing new VIVID Chef d’Oeuvre program.

While /aligned exists primarily in the digital realm, it bridges the physical world through the opportunity for collectors to commission a unique ink drawing by Tim Maxwell. This offering makes each interaction with /aligned deeply personal and physically connective.

MAXWELL'S VOICE

What motivated you to transform your work into a generative art piece?

Curiosity and a challenge were the primary motivators. The constraints of working in a digital format revealed surprising connections and added depth. It reminded me of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s saying, ‘less is more,’ but in this context, it felt more like ‘exponential less is infinitely more.

In what ways can generative art influence and inspire your art?

To me, it’s a no-brainer. Enrico’s algorithm doesn’t just replicate my visual vocabulary; it expands on it significantly. This capability to extend my artistic nuances creates a new, accessible source of inspiration that drives me to further create.

Can you share any insights about the artworks or the inspiration behind them?

It’s quite intricate. For this project, I didn’t physically create anything that’s officially part of the collaboration. My primary inspirations are not typically visual—they are more often found in literature and music. The ideas and connections that these mediums provoke are what I integrate into my work.

Generative art collections are typically large, with many editions. What prompted you to limit your collection to just one piece?

Honestly, the idea to limit the project to a single piece wasn’t originally mine; it came from Gerard. However, the more I contemplated it, the more it made sense and excited me. The logic is clear: one algorithm equals one artwork. This is analogous to how music notation works—it doesn’t suggest what came before or what might come after. For example, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony doesn’t encompass the previous eight symphonies, nor does it imply a tenth. Similarly, Goya’s ‘Witch’s Sabbath’ does not predict his ‘Black Paintings.’ With algorithmic art, its recursive creative arc theoretically could be infinite, unlike traditional art forms which are limited by human memory and experience.

The number 542 is quite unique. What significance does this number hold for you?

The number 542 was chosen somewhat arbitrarily, as I was searching for a number that resonated with symbolic and spiritual depth. Ultimately, what’s most fascinating and authentic tends to be the unknown—the process itself.