Letter E

Mark Eaglen (Entry 1)

Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dq580kNpmSnwZU79FvgtLAtLhFyzkUnv/view?usp=sharing

My submission is framed around three entries that span each category within a holistic body of work.

I have long been interested in complexity science, becoming increasingly fascinated by ideas of emergence evidenced within physical, societal and technological systems. The work engages ideas of probability and uncertainties through processes of random noise, recursive feedback loops, reaction diffusion networks and Voronoi tessellation. This is not in an illustrative manner but rather explores the dynamics, behaviours and relationships across such systems, especially in regard to digitally enabled diffusive processing states and interactive particle systems. 

As with examples of anomalous diffusion, the work is fuelled by connections across physical and biological contexts. From theoretical models of 'Quantum Foam' operating at the Planck scale; in which a fizzing of particles and antiparticles at the smallest permittable scales of space and time give rise to the uncertainty principle through states of position. Through to recent discoveries of the 'Scutoid' across biological systems; a key bridging form of structural integrity. Seemingly born from Voronoi tessellations and alluding to morphogenic processes akin to random walks; neighbouring cells carry echoes of stochastic lattice formation that lead to structural adaptability and resilience across epithelial cell growth and foams.

Mark Eaglen (Entry 2)

Quantum Foam and the Scutoid Variations Fig i - ix

Giclee print on bamboo edition of 6 per fig

This series of prints has been created in response to the open call, capturing distinct moments in time as the behaviours of the interactive work ‘Quantum Foam and the Scutoid Variations’ while being performed and recorded earlier this year. 

Quantum Foam and the Scutoid variations is an interactive video work exploring ideas of cause and effect, temporal perception and recursive networks.  It operates through a real-time processing system where shifts in aesthetic and behaviour are driven by audio/visual/sensor inputs. 

The work is grounded in research across quantum theory and newly discovered biological structures found in nature.  Despite these scientific underpinnings, the work seeks to engage poetries of association with wider fields of response and enquiry that place the audience and their own reflections.

I am fascinated by how Voronoi tessellation operates through defining invisible points in space in order to determine a proximity of equal distance from its neighbours. Such invisible networks of behaviour have encouraged me to reflect upon wider points of association that continue to inspire me in my work. 

Mark Eaglen (Entry 3)

The Scutoid Variations

Wood, plaster and metal

Dimensions variable

The Scutoid Variations present an ever growing collection of sculptures following relatively simple rules resulting in a wide range of proportional variety. The rules are governed by a recently discovered form in nature called the Scutoid 

The Scutoid form is identified by having one end defined as a 6 sided shape and its opposing end being 5 sided. Its resultant connecting planes incorporate a triangle as a transitional shape to join 6 sides to 5, often likened to a zip joining to surfaces together.

The nature of how these shapes have evolved may be considered in relation to voronoi tessellation, especially when considering its prevalence across epithelial cell growth and foam structures.

I have been drawn to these forms for a number of reasons much of which driven by the underpinnings of their scientific and mathematical contexts.  

I became increasingly fascinated by their character while exploring their form through drawing as they began to take on anthropomorphic qualities. This continues to compel me to find new variations and investigate their compositional interactions when presented as a group. As such, this work is ongoing with additional forms being added to the fold and new relationships being explored

Karina Eibatova (Entry 1)

Title: Stochastic Horizons

This digital artwork originates from traditional watercolor textures, manipulated algorithmically into a pattern reminiscent of interconnected arch-like portals. Each shape contains gradients of color that suggest dynamic transitions, evoking stochastic movement within constrained yet fluctuating spaces. The piece visually embodies the concept of anomalous diffusion—a phenomenon in which random motion is influenced by complex environmental interactions, leading to deviations from classical diffusion patterns.

The layered arches mimic the reflective boundaries encountered in diffusion processes, where particles might become trapped, redirected, or experience bursts of accelerated movement. The irregular blending of colors within each shape suggests stochastic variation, symbolizing fluctuations in diffusion pathways. The deliberate absence of a uniform repetition introduces an element of randomness, mirroring the unpredictable yet mathematically structured nature of anomalous transport.

Mathematically, the work references stochastic processes that govern diffusion in constrained systems—such as polymer conformation, ecological dispersal, and computational learning models. The arches act as visual metaphors for the probabilistic pathways particles take when encountering spatial heterogeneities, a key characteristic of anomalous diffusion. This interplay between structure and randomness transforms the viewer’s perception, prompting an intuitive engagement with the hidden order within stochastic mathematical systems.

Karina Eibatova (Entry 2)

Title: Diffusion in Structured Space

This artwork explores the intersection of random movement and structured constraints, drawing inspiration from anomalous diffusion in mathematical systems. Composed of hand-painted watercolour textures, the piece was digitally arranged in Photoshop into a grid of arch-like portals, symbolising pathways of stochastic motion within defined yet unpredictable boundaries.

Each portal contains a unique blend of colours, reflecting the heterogeneous nature of diffusion in complex environments. Some forms appear more transparent, hinting at unrestricted movement, while others are darker, representing areas where diffusion slows or becomes trapped. These variations mirror real-world stochastic processes, such as particle transport in confined spaces, adaptive foraging behaviours in ecology, and evolving learning algorithms in machine learning.

The structured repetition of the arches introduces a mathematical framework, yet the watercolours organic flow disrupts strict uniformity, reinforcing the theme of irregularity within order—a fundamental characteristic of anomalous diffusion. The interplay of opacity, colour transitions, and shape positioning evokes reflecting boundaries and directional biases found in stochastic modeling.

By merging physical textures with digital precision, this piece transforms abstract mathematical principles into a visually immersive experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the hidden patterns governing randomness and constraint in natural and computational systems.

Karina Eibatova (Entry 3)

Title: The Web

The mycelial networks that underpin fungal colonies exhibit a striking resemblance to mathematical models of diffusion, neural networks, and optimization processes. These networks facilitate the transport of nutrients and information, functioning analogously to stochastic systems and anomalous diffusion models, which describe movement influenced by environmental constraints, memory effects, and non-random adaptations. Unlike classical diffusion, which assumes uniform and independent movement, anomalous diffusion accounts for spatial heterogeneities, feedback mechanisms, and non-trivial constraints, all of which characterize fungal growth and resource distribution.

The expansion of mycelial networks follows principles of graph theory and percolation theory, optimizing connectivity while minimizing energy expenditure. This self-organizing behavior is comparable to reinforcement learning algorithms, where past interactions shape future decisions. Fungal networks do not spread uniformly but instead prioritize efficient pathways, adjusting their structure in response to environmental stimuli—a process that parallels adaptive search algorithms in computational mathematics.

Mai ELBastawessy

Link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BWk6Go33Yxl_hlDTrSKTpuM_6OegpEt8/view?usp=sharing