PRIMAL
PRIMAL is a generative art series that emerges from a profound exploration of human essence. It delves into the ancient roots of our nature through a captivating journey of transformation, from instinct to consciousness.
At its heart, PRIMAL is a study of tribalism as one of the defining characteristics of our species. It seeks to understand how the foundation of our culture can be traced back to something as seemingly trivial as a handprint on a rock.
The Narrative: Tribal Echoes
This journey found its inception here, within the uncharted frontiers of Web3, a digital realm teeming with untamed domains, captivating discoveries, and a multitude of tribes.
“Reflecting upon contemporary digital tribalism, I cannot help but draw parallels with the ancient tribes of our prehistoric origins”.
Just as early humans gathered in groups for mutual support and growth, digital tribes share commonalities. They are connected not only by an innate sense of survival but also by a natural desire to belong together.
What truly captivates my imagination is the enigmatic act of adorning a cave wall with hand markings - a seemingly rudimentary expression that represents the first tangible symbol of human form, a spark of human consciousness.
Serving as the bedrock for tribal cultures, the evolution of these markings transforms into symbols, rituals, and languages, becoming the complex conduits through which we relate to one another. They are the means through which we have transmitted our wisdom from generation to generation.
These were the origins of consciousness, where we transcended primordial instincts and moved beyond the relentless drive for survival.
“And the pursuit of questions far beyond our understanding begins, delving deep into the timeless mysteries of existence”.
After four million years of evolution, this mission to fathom the World and our place within it is deeply encoded within our DNA. The same yearning to discover common ground, to share, to belong, and above all, to seek understanding, persists. The same endeavor that compels us to form tribes (both in the physical and digital realms) is the innate drive of our species to pursue answers that have eluded us for millennia.
“And so, I find myself delving into my origins, weaving a narrative of humanity in a quest to better understand myself and, with hope, to bring a new perspective to the rich landscape of views and expressions that we inhabit today”.
Taxonomies
The visual narrative of this work follows the lineage of what I consider Tribes of this World. Originated by the same primal energy, they spawn from seven distinct Roots, each guiding the development of a unique set of symbols, rituals, and culture.
The oldest in my research are raw archetypes, deeply connected to the Earth and in harmony with the elements. They bear the names Pangean, Eldertide, Arcanith, and Seraphent.
The newer tribal genotypes I explored, are worshippers of impalpable forces, and arcane, enigmatic dwellers, called Astrylith, Galdorim and Azurian.
Guided by the relentless hand of time, each Tribe undergoes transformative evolution, resulting in a rich and expressive visual lexicon.
With each gestural stroke, each artwork stands as a harbinger, paving the way for what follows, weaving a continuous thread in the developing narrative of each culture.
Influenced by the landscapes and the whims of nature, the Tribes function in symbiosis with their surroundings. They shape and adapt, incorporating elements and materials from the environment, forming an identity deeply rooted in the colors and nuances of the land they inhabit.
Each of the Taxonomies aforementioned maps the artworks with contextual identifiers, comparable to what we know in the digital art space, as Traits. Each artwork will include the following data:
- Tribe indicate the style of the visual language (root).
- Phase is the evolution of the visual language (texture & details).
- Locus is the biome influencing the visual language (palette).
This structured approach allows for a more profound exploration of the intricate connections between the artworks, the Tribes they belong to, and the environments that shape their unique identities.
The inner path
In much the same way my generative practice fuels discovery and stimulates my thinking, there are theories suggesting that our earliest ancestors incorporated psychoactive ingredients into their diets. Some argue that these substances may have played a pivotal role in the development of language, while others connect their use to the emergence of cave paintings for ritualistic purposes. Personally, I find the exploration of the mind to be as exhilarating as the exploration of the physical world or the mysteries of the cosmos.
As a tribute to this ancient yet still enigmatic journey, I have included certain artworks within the collection that evoke the concept of the ‘third eye.’ I leave it to the audience to discern and engage with this narrative, in the hope of sparking further dialogue regarding the boundless realms of the human mind, both ancient and contemporary.
My Technical Approach
The series was developed with multiple GLSL shaders interlaced using Python scripts. This framework, coupled with custom controls, granted me the ability to interact with the algorithm in real-time, guiding the increasingly randomized parameters to the edge of the breaking point. In doing so, I ultimately exposed a visual language that fulfilled my desire for a raw yet highly calculated and consistently deterministic output.
The overarching process of the program can be summarized with the following steps:
- The initial shader renders a topographic pixel arrangement in multiple layers (defining the base arrangement on canvas).
- The output is divided into three channels, each fed into three distinct shaders (defining the texture of each layer).
- Each output is run through a set of modifiers that displace the texture and merge the result with a color channel (adding color to each layer).
- The layers are composed two at a time and stacked to generate the final output (completed artwork).
The artwork takes about 5 seconds to render, and at every step of the process, I can adjust values from a custom interface and reset the program.
In my production, I don’t batch render outputs to select from. Instead, I actively engage with the program to create each individual piece.
Aside from being immensely time-consuming, the fulfilling aspect of this process comes from the level of focus and reflection I can allow myself to bring into each individual artwork.
This reinforces my artistic vision while remaining open to the discoveries brought by the numerous random agents in my algorithm, a staple, in my approach to creative work.
Next Steps
PRIMAL is a visceral, raw, and profound tale of beginnings.
Within the broader context of my research, the parallels I’ve drawn between digital culture and tribalism have raised more questions than answers. Consequently, I envision this theme will linger in my thoughts, exerting its influence on my work in the years to come.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for the surprising interest and warm support, you are the kindle that sparks the fire in my work.
Special thanks to Galya, the (very patient) kindle that sparks my fire in life, and thanks to Adam, the very reason this work is now under your eyes.
PRIMAL has been developed in close collaboration with Adam Berninger, for which I feel immensely grateful for his feedback, encouragement, and support across every phase of the creation process. Above all, I hold him in the highest regard and admiration for his willingness to immerse himself in the world of PRIMAL and for entrusting me with a challenging journey of truth against the tide of digital numbness.
PRIMAL comprises of 250 artworks minted on the Ethereum blockchain. The series will be released in a week as part of a Tender collab.
Feel free to connect with Adam or me on X for more details.
