Intersections
A Public Art Exhibition
John Winston Garth
John Winston Garth is a computer scientist from the small town of Athens, Alabama. One day, he woke to the surprise of strangers pinging him on the internet. He had discovered a pattern in Conway's Game of Life! Later that month The New York Times published a 50th anniversary article about the game, featuring his pattern. Not bad!
Conway's Game of Life appeals to John Winston because of its delicate nature. Most patterns devolve into chaos, but within the infinite combinations lies hidden order. Creatures, which appear organic, find a balance within the 2D environment. These creatures are examples of life before life itself! John Winston hopes to inspire and spark meaningful thoughts in the minds of others through the display of his pattern.
John Winston also enjoys playing chess and backgammon, driving through the countryside, and observing dark skies through his telescope.
Artwork
Doo-dah
Digital media
11” x 8.5”
Conway's Game of Life is like a digital petri dish. Imagine a grid where each square, or cell, can be either "alive" or "dead." Simple rules decide whether these cells live or die based on how many of their neighbors are alive. Start the simulation and watch this miniature universe unfold! Each step is like a tick of the clock, with cells changing and patterns emerging in unexpected ways.
In this vast digital universe, enthusiasts use specialized software to scour for hidden patterns. One such discovery is “Doo-dah,” a “spaceship” that glides across the grid, repeating every 21 steps. This mesmerizing pattern, born from simple rules, showcases the incredible complexity that can emerge from minimal beginnings.