Mark McGahan Procedural Abstractions

Since I graduated with a degree in Art from UC Berkeley in 1980 I have been continually involved in helping others visually communicate abstract concepts and processes. I have been able to use my 3D modeling and animation skills to help a number of companies visualize things such as the fundamental concepts of Texas Instruments’ DMD (later to become the DLP) technology, visual perception studies for printer manufacturers, surgical technique animations for physician education for Medtronic and, most recently, Dr. Bruce Gnade at UT Dallas with animations that visualize his flexible LCD process technology.

Somewhere along the line I began exploring a more purely expressive use of my skills to create artistic imagery from the abstractions of math. My explorations have moved me to use mathematically generated spline to drive modifications various parameters of geometric shapes over time and space.

The images that result from this process can be appreciated on a number of different levels.

First, consider the cellular level. Each individual image cell is a unique in and of itself. Each represents one example of the infinite possibilities that can be visualized within this mathematical construct. Each image cell can be enlarged to significant size without a loss of detail and clarity.

Second, when several cells are viewed together, the subtle cell-to-cell changes begin to become apparent. Although they may seem to be almost identical, as one moves farther away from the cells in a matrix, these differences begin to convey an inherent structural rhythm.

Third, when considered as a whole, each matrix presents an overall flow that creates a larger image at a totally different scale. Each cellular matrix has its own unique flow and movement across or around the square format.

Fourth, when these cells are expanded into animated frames, they become the presentation of processes that unfold in the fullness of time.

Fifth, in pieces such as “The Scaler,” reconfiguring the orientation of the cells in the matrix can create an additional visual differentiation. The fabricated “The Scaler” piece presents a reconfiguration of the series matrix by rotating each image cell 45ª on its axis. Treated in such a manner, “The Scaler” is evocative of the iridescent, anodized aluminum skin on the exterior of the NSERL building. “The Weave” pays homage to Dr. Gnade’s work developing flexible LCD panels fabricated using a woven technique.

Additionally, new materials such as fabric, metallic and ceramic substrates will enable this imagery to broaden both its visual appeal move it into new creative dimensions and commercial applications.