Each week we chat about the tools of the trade with one outstanding creative to find out exactly how they do what they do. The questions are always the same, the answers, not so much. This week: Sergio Albiac.The Creators Project: Who are you and what do you do?
Sergio Albiac: I’m a visual artist based in Barcelona. I have a computer science and art background. I use traditional media and computer code to express my views on beauty, randomness, absurdity, and human experience. I’m interested in the possibilities of technology to create art and also in the intersection, blend and dialogue between traditional and new media.What hardware do you use?
Basically, a PC system based on an old generation Quad Core—powerful enough, fine-art grade printing on demand for generative prints, and then, of course, there is the "analog" hardware, the traditional technology of acrylic, canvas and brushes that are part of my output arsenal.What software do you use?
I use the Linux ecosystem (Ubuntu flavor). To develop my generative code, I use Processing (language, environment, and community). It’s perfect for my needs: simple but powerful and portable. My artistic path changed all of a sudden when I discovered Processing a year and a half ago. It opened unlimited possibilities in my mind.If money were no object, how would you change your current setup?
My development setup wouldn’t change qualitatively. Upgrading technology too often is a distraction for me, but I would love to throw money at research teams working with experimental devices in the areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, display technology, and parallel computing in exchange for having the privilege to explore the use of early prototypes in artistic expression.Living Icon: Generative Video PaintingWhat fantasy piece of technology would you like to see invented?
A HD reflective three-dimensional display that could change depth on demand with the ability to show convincing moving images. And devices to interact with the brain in a precise manner.Is there any piece of technology that inspired you to take the path you did?
Processing, absolutely. Combined with current cheap and powerful computer architectures, processors, input/output devices and other open source software—all together [they] let you do amazing things that would cost you a fortune only 10-15 years ago. I really feel privileged to be able to afford this technology and I’m forever grateful to those that made it happen.What’s your favorite relic piece of technology from your childhood?
A Casio PB-100 programmable calculator, a 1KB of RAM, 12 character in one line of monochrome display that introduced me to programming using BASIC and decided me to pursue a university degree in computer science. And a little box of crayons…
Sergio Albiac: I’m a visual artist based in Barcelona. I have a computer science and art background. I use traditional media and computer code to express my views on beauty, randomness, absurdity, and human experience. I’m interested in the possibilities of technology to create art and also in the intersection, blend and dialogue between traditional and new media.
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Basically, a PC system based on an old generation Quad Core—powerful enough, fine-art grade printing on demand for generative prints, and then, of course, there is the "analog" hardware, the traditional technology of acrylic, canvas and brushes that are part of my output arsenal.What software do you use?
I use the Linux ecosystem (Ubuntu flavor). To develop my generative code, I use Processing (language, environment, and community). It’s perfect for my needs: simple but powerful and portable. My artistic path changed all of a sudden when I discovered Processing a year and a half ago. It opened unlimited possibilities in my mind.If money were no object, how would you change your current setup?
My development setup wouldn’t change qualitatively. Upgrading technology too often is a distraction for me, but I would love to throw money at research teams working with experimental devices in the areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, display technology, and parallel computing in exchange for having the privilege to explore the use of early prototypes in artistic expression.Living Icon: Generative Video PaintingWhat fantasy piece of technology would you like to see invented?
A HD reflective three-dimensional display that could change depth on demand with the ability to show convincing moving images. And devices to interact with the brain in a precise manner.Is there any piece of technology that inspired you to take the path you did?
Processing, absolutely. Combined with current cheap and powerful computer architectures, processors, input/output devices and other open source software—all together [they] let you do amazing things that would cost you a fortune only 10-15 years ago. I really feel privileged to be able to afford this technology and I’m forever grateful to those that made it happen.What’s your favorite relic piece of technology from your childhood?
A Casio PB-100 programmable calculator, a 1KB of RAM, 12 character in one line of monochrome display that introduced me to programming using BASIC and decided me to pursue a university degree in computer science. And a little box of crayons…