BASE40M, a digital sculpture created by artist Max Fowler, represents an intersection of traditional artistic techniques and modern technology, embodying the transformation from analog to digital.
The process involved scanning a physical collage and translating it into a digital form using machine learning, which highlights the increasing role of technology in shaping contemporary artistic practices.
In this particular piece, the use of .ply files facilitates a high degree of precision and control over the digital form of the artwork. This is especially important given the inherent variability of the original physical collage. The .ply format enables the artist to modify the mesh topology, manipulate the geometry of the sculpture, and add or subtract details in a meticulous manner.
The use of .ply files also highlights the convergence of digital and physical forms of art production. By leveraging the flexibility of this file format, artists can explore and manipulate the digital forms of their artwork with a level of control that is akin to the manipulation of traditional sculptural materials. Overall, this underscores the potential of digital technologies to expand the boundaries of artistic expression and to bridge the divide between physical and digital forms of art.
By merging traditional collage-making techniques with machine learning and digital manipulation, Max Fowler's BASE40M embodies a contemporary artistic practice that values the fusion of diverse creative processes and mediums. This approach challenges the traditional divide between analog and digital art and encourages experimentation and innovation in the pursuit of new and unique forms of expression. The artwork invites the viewer to reflect on the transformation of art-making in the digital age and the increasing role of technology in shaping our artistic practices.