Is mathematics a discovery or an invention?
This question was ever-present in my mind not only as I created Ars Fractalia but in fact, in all my work over the last 10 years. Long before I started coding creatively, I was making art using fractals - insanely beautiful patterns found everywhere in nature, that follow relatively simple mathematical rules.
But then, that question begs a further question: If the doubt about mathematics exists, then surely the same question can be asked of art created using mathematics..? Is it created, or discovered?
My personal conclusion is, it is both. We are Life - the universe itself having found a way to experience itself, and we are the discoverers/creators of all meaning.
When I began my artistic journey over 10 years ago, I saw the crazy, beautiful, psychedelic fractal patterns that others generated and questioned: "Are those really their own creations, though?" .. This always pushed me to use fractals in original ways. I didn't want to simply generate a pretty pattern, give it a title, and call it art. I wanted my mind to be the main "generator", and the patterns only a form of paint and brush.
Which is why I now feel such deep gratification with the creation of Ars Fractalia. I coded it myself: These Julia fractals are my Julia fractals - each given a unique personality with my own creative algorithm.
And now it is my great pleasure to present them to you.