subpixel 1.0.1. - tryptic
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Description
An exploration of our primary filter, our gateway to the virtual, and the fabric of the entire reality we perceive.
This generative system exposes the three lights that compose every pixel we see on screens: red, green, and blue. By putting this decomposition at the forefront, subpixel 1.0.1 highlights the fundamental mechanics and static elements underlying the colors and movements we perceive. It invites us to reflect on the radical limits of the medium — any medium — through which we choose to see, describe, express, and create our reality.
Beyond this foundational layer — which here takes center stage — the ever-looping dance of cubes, the shifting hues of wavering patterns, and the minimalist world we observe seem to form a hypnotic, puzzling constant. Are we actually traveling through time and space, or are we trapped in an endless vortex? Is the world vast and deep, or as flat and contained as the screen we look into?
One certainty reassures or unsettles: red, green, and blue candles flare and fade, endlessly turning nothing into something, only to dissolve it all back into nothing.
This work is animated and can be resized and exported as a seamless looping GIF. The aesthetics change with the canvas size: while the pixel dimensions stay fixed, the scene space and cube sizes adjust proportionally to the screen size.
Features and Interaction:
- [Pause & Menu Access] Click on the animated painting to open the menu. Click again on the painting to hide the menu and restart the animation.
- [Size] Define the frame size, then confirm by clicking OK to apply the change.
- [GIF Export] Save the current animation as a GIF. The animation will continue running while the GIF is being generated.
- [Frame Navigation] Move between frames with the < X / Y > selector.
- [PNG Export] Save a snapshot of the current frame as a PNG.
- [Sync] Synchronize multiple screens using webRTC (highly experimental with challenging user experience; intended for the adventurous).
subpixel 1.0.1 was created and developed by Nico in 2024 using a custom-crafted codebase that incorporates various open-source libraries: - Generic libraries (wgpu, winit, wasm-bindgen, etc.) for working with Rust in the browser and GPU. - Stefan Gustavson's psrdnoise WGSL implementation. - Matt DesLauriers's gifenc JS library for encoding GIFs. - Eli Grey's FileSaver JS library for downloading files.
Copyright © 2024 Nicolas Arbogast (See the LICENSE file included for details and contact information.)
subpixel 1.0.1 was mainly developed on Brave (chromium) and tested on other modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), on recent powerful devices (macbook pro, iphone), in MacOS and iOS environments.
Rider
Artist: nico (@nicoarbogast) - Nicolas Arbogast
Artwork Title: subpixel 1.0.1 - tryptic
Medium: Code (rendered in realtime in a web browser)
Date: Dec 2024
1. Artwork Composition & Exhibition Design:
The artwork consists of three pieces (tryptic), which can be displayed:
- In parallel, in a sequence of 1-2-3 or 3-2-1, depending on the exhibition design.
- Each piece can also be displayed separately.
- Or in a sequential loop (all three works presented one after the other).
Please note: The artist will provide specific versions for display depending on the final arrangement and order.
2. Display Technology & Format:
Display screen:
The artwork is designed for LED walls/panels (with adjustable format and size to the exact pixel resolutions of the display wall). It can also be perfectly exhibited on standard screens.
The format can be square, portrait, or landscape, depending on the available display configuration.
Artwork File Formats:
The artwork's native medium is code, which runs live in a web browser. For installation, the artwork can be provided in one of the following formats (based on the display type):
- Code (original format): to be opened as a simple webpage in a web browser (will resize dynamically, could eventually be synced depending on technical possibilities - see infra).
- Endless-looping GIF: provided by artist depending on exact resolution requirements.
- Looping video: adaptable to varying durations based on video player constraints.
Note: The artist will provide specific export versions tailored to the final display configuration upon request.
3. Installation and Technical Considerations:
Screen Resolution:
The artwork can be adapted for any screen ratio and format (square, portrait, landscape).
Display Time:
The artwork is designed to loop indefinitely. If the exhibition space requires specific timing or duration, please inform the artist in advance so that a suitable version can be provided.
Lighting:
The ideal environment depends on the brightness of the display: For bright screens or LED panels, a bright environment is suitable. For dim screens, a dark environment will enhance the artwork's visibility.
Synchronization (tryptic display):
In the case of a juxtaposed display (where the three parts are shown side by side), if the artwork is displayed as realtime running code and the display technology has internet connectivity, the three parts of the tryptic could be synchronized using WebRTC. Please contact the artist if this is an option.
Hardware/Software Requirements:
While the artwork is compatible with most modern platforms and devices, it was primarily developed for and tested on:
- Web Browsers: Brave (Chromium), Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- Devices: MacBook Pro, iPhone (recent models)
- Operating Systems: macOS, iOS
For optimal performance in live mode (realtime code rendering), ensure that the display is capable of supporting modern web technologies and has sufficient processing power to render the artwork smoothly.
Performance shouldn't be a concern in case of display as video.
If the chosen display format is GIF, a chromium-based browser (Brave, Chrome...) should be preferred, as some browsers show strong limitations when rendering GIF (for example, Safari has hard limits on framerates, which could slow down the GIF rythm and alter the artwork)
Important Note: The artwork, in its original form (realtime code rendering on a webpage), can be resized and adapted to any screen size or pixel dimensions. If the artwork is displayed as a GIF or video, the exact pixel dimensions of the target screen must be provided in advance so that the artist can generate an export that perfectly matches the screen’s resolution.
4. Artist Support:
The artist can provide any necessary technical assistance regarding the setup, installation, or troubleshooting of the artwork's display. Please contact the artist in advance for any specific requirements or concerns.