Chinese Dragon
March 27th, 2010
The sweeping forms of this strange attractor outline an abstract face that reminds me of the head of a Chinese dragon kite. Be sure to view the larger size to see the fine detail.
Strange Attractors
Have you ever seen a pendulum swinging over a pit of sand, tracing patterns as it moves? The results can be simple or complex, depending on the forces generating the motion. In a truly chaotic system, a strange attractor represents this final state, and can be visualized using surprisingly simple mathematical equations. Initially inspired by Clifford Pickover’s Chaos in Wonderland, I have been experimenting with chaotic attractors since 2001. I call this series Aesthetic Explorations of Attractor Space. For more technical and mathematical information, view the Tech Notes.
Star Birth
March 27th, 2010
Star birth takes place in a faraway mathematical galaxy, not unlike MG16, the Eagle Nebula, from which I sampled color for this piece.
Butterfly Effect
March 27th, 2010
Besides the fact that this attractor looks like an abstract butterfly, the title of the piece is an homage to Edward Lorenz, a pioneer of chaos theory. Most people have heard of the “butterfly effect” and the idea that the weather is a chaotic system with sensitive dependence on initial conditions, which is what makes it so darn hard to predict 
Sprites
March 27th, 2010
I found these intriguing lightning creatures hidden in the infinite possibilities of strange attractor space. It turns out there is an electrical phenomenon that happens high above thunderclouds, called a sprite.
Trefoil
March 27th, 2010
A delicate kite-like form drifts up towards you on unseen mathematical currents…
