Fractals are the keys to unlocking and understanding this universe. A fractal is a self organising, self-similar pattern that can repeat itself infinitely on various levels and dimensions. Nature is chockfull of fractals, The way coastlines shape themselves, how trees grow, how the seeds of a sunflower are dispersed- all fractals. But fractals can also be found on a much larger or way smaller scale. If you zoom in or out long enough eventually all patterns repeat themselves.
The atom and the sun
The branches of a tree and the veins in your lungs
Neuro pathways of the brain and the universe at large
An eye and a black hole
Everything repeats itself on different levels
The more you start working with fractals, by trying to draw them, reconstructing these patterns from scratch, the better you start to understand them.
Reverse engineering a fractal is like tracking down the program codes and commands of nature itself: what did it take to produce this pattern? What do you tell the line to do? if> then, if> then. Its an algorithm to build a pattern.
Once you get the hang of it you can construct impressive and complicated patterns with relatively simple instructions ( and a lot of patience) .
Like for instance these butterfly-like shapes. Fractals for your walls, as a visual ode and reminder to the selforganising capacity of life itself .
Ellen den Hollander .. Read more…