Emergence

Interactive installation

Emergence is a generative interactive installation that explores the concept of emergent behaviour and intelligence.

The piece is inspired by the intricate foraging strategies of ant colonies and the growth patterns of Physarum slime moulds. The installation uses an agent-based simulation combining elements of each, where each agent operates under a set of simple, pre-defined rules but their interactions evolve into complex and striking patterns that hint at collective intelligence and illustrate the beauty self-organizing systems.

As the agents move through the space, they leave behind pheromone trails that guide the movement of other agents in real time. The hotspots mark the locations of food sources, which affect the agents' energy levels and have a greater influence on their behaviour.

The video shows a selection of moments from a never-ending and continually evolving simulation. In the proposed interactive version, the presence and movements of visitors in front of the screen generate new food hotspots, subtly shifting the visual patterns and influencing the overall appearance of the work.