This project explores the ways to generate pattern throught randomness, both manually and digitally. The main focus point is hexaflexagons: mathematical paper structures discovered in 1939 by Arthur H. Stone and popularised later by Martin Gardner. They consist in a single strip of paper folded into a given number of equilateral triangles and then folded into a flat hexagon. From the number of triangle will depend the number of faces the hexaflexagon can display when 'flexed' (pinched and flipped to reveal a hidden face). Triflexagon will have three faces (one hidden), Hexahexaflexagon will have 6 faces (four hidden).n
By printing on the strip of paper before folding them and then combining several hexaflexagons together, one can achieve an infinite combination of patterns.
The screen printed collection is composed of a range of wallpaper and textile samples printed using only 2 colours (black and white) and 2 two different screens. I restricted my colour palette to focus on textures and combinations of pattern.
SCREEN PRINTING PATTERN 1
This first screen was realised by randomly painting a sheet of paper and then cutting and folding it into several hexaflexagons. Those were then combined and scanned the be printed on a range of fabrics and papers.
The two samples on the left were printed using only this screen. It was printed multiples times on the same material with different binders.
SCREEN PRINTING PATTERN 2
This pattern was randomly generated using the Processing environment. It starts with a diagram of the strip of paper used to make hexaflexagon divided in triangles and squares. The program then randomly fills in the shapes with black or white.
Prints inspired by M.C. Escher and Karl Gerstner theory of shapes and colours
These patterns were created through a short program that allowed me to draw with a random dynamic brush. The aspect of the patterns depends on the aspect of the square is it composed of (fill and stroke, shape of corners).h
3D
Hexaflexagons and kaleidocycles
Installation where two projectors were used to display random computer generated patterns of walls and furniture
