Joshua Davis workshop
So the Josh Davis workshop was really awesome. I had this horrible fear that he’d be some egotistical asshole, but he’s really down-to-earth, personally accessible, and just generally a very fun guy to be around.
After meeting him, and talking to him about his work, and the processes he uses, I’m inclined to say that Joshua Davis isn’t really the same as the old school Algorists. I’d say that he still very much uses a painter’s methodology, and that the random generative process is still very much subordinate to the composition. A lot of human intervention and critique goes into his work - writing the algorithms is only a small part of the end result. This is in stark contrast to the more formal Algorists, whose creative process is essentially over by the time the algorithm is finished. Davis’ process, however, is a highly evolved cycle of critique, disposal, and experimentation, marked by a constant jorney of deterministic self-appraisal.
He also says ‘fuck’ a lot.
I’d most definitely recommend his workshops if you ever get the chance to go to one. Also - if you’re in Barcelona next month, check out his show at the Maxalot gallery, where he’ll be exhibiting some of his Maruto & Once Upon A Forest work, and some other cool stuff as well.