CONCEPT
This project visualizes the development and evolution of a dynamic flocking system, inspired by the tension and release seen in the works of artists like Ryoichi Kurokawa and Robert Hodgin. The flock of boids represents the fragmentation and cohesion of elements in a system, evolving through three distinct phases: fragmentation, merging, and dissolution. Each phase builds visual and motion-based tension, leading to moments of release as the boids transition from chaotic fragmentation to harmonious merging and, finally, the serene dissolution of the system. Through the use of interactive elements like the shards, the system explores the balance between autonomy and influence, creating a dynamic visual narrative.
CODE HIGHLIGHT
A part of the code I’m particularly proud of is how I managed the phases of transformation within the system. The boids’ behavior is influenced by the shards scattered across the canvas, which attract them during the fragmentation phase and guide their motion as they merge and dissolve. The `attractedByShards` method allows the boids to interact with these shards, adding layers of complexity to their motion. This method introduces variability and visual tension, as the boids are both influenced by the flocking rules and the external force of the shards. As the system evolves, the shards merge and disappear, leading to the dissolution phase, where boids slowly scatter and fade.
Here’s a snippet of the code that handles boid interaction with the shards and phase transitions:
flock(boids, shards) {
let alignment = this.align(boids);
let separation = this.separate(boids);
let shardPull = this.attractedByShards(shards);
this.acceleration.add(alignment);
this.acceleration.add(separation);
this.acceleration.add(shardPull); // Attracted to nearby shards
}
attractedByShards(shards) {
let steering = createVector();
for (let shard of shards) {
let d = dist(this.position.x, this.position.y, shard.position.x, shard.position.y);
if (d < shard.radius) {
let force = p5.Vector.sub(shard.position, this.position);
force.setMag(0.1);
steering.add(force);
}
}
return steering;
}
This part of the code ensures that boids not only follow flocking behaviors like alignment and separation but also respond to the external influence of shards, simulating the tension between independent and collective motion.
You can see the embedded sketch of the project here. It shows the flock of boids interacting with the shards and transitioning through phases of fragmentation, merging, and dissolution. The colors and behaviors of the boids change over time, reflecting the evolving state of the system.
FUTURE ITERATIONS
In future iterations, I’d love to explore how external user input could influence the phase transitions. Perhaps users could trigger the start of a new phase or manipulate the positions of the shards. Another direction is to introduce sound to accompany each phase, further enhancing the experience of tension and release.
Additionally, I could refine the motion of the boids to create more fluid transitions, adding more intricacies to their behavior as they respond to the system’s changing environment. Another idea is to allow the flock to represent different emotional states or stories, visualized through movement and interaction with external forces like the shards.