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Cellular Automata

The Cellular Automata series is based on the principles of the Game of Life devised by British mathematician John Horton Conway in 1970, in which a grid of cells evolves over discrete time steps. The living or dead state of each cell in the next generation is determined by its current state and the number of living neighbors it has, according to a set of simple rules. Over time, these rules create complex patterns and behaviors, with cells either dying, surviving, or producing new cells based on their environment.

Cellular Automata


These rules result in patterns that can stabilize, oscillate, or even grow infinitely, creating a variety of interesting behaviors despite the simplicity of the rules. The game simulates complex systems and is often used to study patterns in mathematics, computer science, and biology.

By transforming these time-based systems into a "frozen" three-dimensional organism, the powerful and magical patterns behind each cellular automaton become visible as a whole. The sculptures seem to have an inner logic and their archaic aspect is reminiscent of mysterious objects from a bygone civilization.

LoaFlipFlop

Period15 Oscillator, welded 12mm carbon steel sheets. Dimensions: 47 cm x 47 cm x 18 cm, 2025.
Download a complete set of photos of LoaFlipFlop HERE.

LoaFlipFlop

Loaflipflop is a period-15 oscilator found by Robert Wainwright in 1990.

LoaFlipFlop


LoaFlipFlop
Loaflipflop in the Game of Life


LoaFlipFlop

4GliderSynthesisPentadecathlon

4GliderSynthesisPentadecathlon, welded 12mm carbon steel sheets. Dimensions: 23 cm x 18 cm x 47 cm, 2025.
Download a complete set of photos of 4GliderSynthesisPentadecathlon HERE.

Four glider synthesis visualized in "Life Viewer"
4GliderSynthesisPentadecathlon

The four glider synthesis into a pentadecathlon oscilator was found by Peter Raynham in 1973.

4GliderSynthesisPentadecathlon


4GliderSynthesisPentadecathlon

Technical aspects:

In order to transform the Cellular Automatas into sculptures, two modifications were made:

  • Each step of the two-dimensional orthogonal grid of square cells is considered as a layer, so the time line is transformed into a third dimension as height: for example, the period 15 oscillator Loaflipflop has 15 layers of cells.
  • Each pixel of a "living" cell will have a side length equal to two times its original size. This modification creates groups of pixels, which allows not only to build the cellular automata physically, but also to give it a more solid aspect. The sculpture gains volume and compactness without losing its essence compared to the original pixel size.
  • Compare Pixel Size



    You can see the difference in the render above: on the right is the original pixel size, on the left is the modified pixel size.

    Further Reading:

  • "Conway's Game of Life - Mathematics and Construction" by Nathaniel Johnston and Dave Greene (2022) is a great book for understanding Conway's Game of Life. It can be downloaded for free as a pdf HERE.
  • The wiki page of ConwayLife.com is a good starting point for all aspects of Cellular Automata.