Computer-generated images based on simple algorithms - it's not the stuff typically shown in art galleries.
But for animator Andy Lomas, computers are perfect canvases and algorithms the perfect tools for creating thought-provoking works of art.
Lomas, head of character effects at DreamWorks Animation, will give a guest lecture and open an exhibit hosted by ASU's Arts, Media and Engineering Program (AME), Thursday.
Titled "Aggregation," the exhibit features "beautifully rendered prints," animations and a demo computer program, said Sheilah Britton, program coordinator for AME.
Computer science graduate student Stjepan Rajko said he is excited to see the exhibit and attend the lecture.
"I'm interested in how he relates his artistic work to his technical work," said Rajko.
As far as production is concerned, Lomas is an award-winning professional digital artist.
Those who have seen "The Matrix: Reloaded" or "The Matrix: Revolutions," know his work. Lomas developed the digital rain effects and supervised the production of the final fight scene in "Revolutions."
Lomas also worked on "Lost in Space," "Alice in Wonderland" and the James Bond films "GoldenEye" and "Tomorrow Never Dies."
However, the "Aggregation" exhibit features an entirely different kind of art from his production work, said Lomas.
In the exhibit, Lomas draws inspiration from complex forms found in nature.
"I'm not trying to reproduce natural forms; I am exploring their incredible beauty through mathematics," he said.
Lomas, who likes to scuba dive as a hobby, said he can look at coral, for example, and then create similar, yet unique, structures using simple algorithms.
A theme of simplicity versus convolution runs throughout the art, as a result of the relationship between simple math and complex nature.
"What strikes me is that he bases all of those complex images on something very simple. All of the structures look really different, but they were all started from the same basic principles," said Rajko, the graduate student.
Rajko said the uniqueness of Lomas' art is one of the reasons he admires the exhibit and recommends other students visit it.
"It's very interesting in an analytical sense," he said. "It's art, but it's created in a way that challenges the traditional perspectives on art."
While some critics claim computer-generated work is not art, Lomas said his images achieve a level of complexity that would be impossible, or at least extremely difficult, to recreate with paint.
The images are meant to explore the relationship between mathematics, art and nature, so there is a philosophical depth, said Lomas. They can take anywhere from two days to four weeks to simulate.
"Aggregation" is scheduled to run Sept. 8 through Oct. 14 in the Computing Commons gallery. Lomas' opening lecture will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the Intelligent Stage, located on the second floor of the Matthews Center.
Reach the reporter at ann.censky@asu.edu.
