Algorithmic Frame "Paintings" Remove the Art, But Not The Artistry

The formulaic workings of a long-winded math equation intercepts with the gilded presentations of classical painting, but one thing appears remiss—there are no paintings in these artworks. Parisian artist, Taylor Holland, finds beauty in the equation-like composition of museum works, choosing to focus his artistically and technologically astute mind on the artistry of frames. Holland picks pristine 18th/19th-century frames, extracting the centerpiece artwork, and then dipping into the creative process of digital renderings.

Holland describes his project, entitled Fra[mes], as “utilizing the intricate craftsmanship of traditional framemaking in the context of contemporary art.” Like many of his peers, Holland factors computer-generated imagery into his process, generously using digital tools in his development of art and the pursuit of refined detail. The project’s inspiration derives from the artist’s many trips to the Louvre in Paris, where Holland found himself gazing at the fine details of the artwork surrounding the works.

The ornamental borders can transform into the point of interest, a much labored-over piece of work capable of competing for visual real estate just as much as a classic painting. Frameworking’s intricate process is given wider reception under Holland’s creative vision. Paintings' frames transcend mere decoration at the hands of Holland.

Holland shares the details of his artistic process with The Creators Project in a project statement, “Essentially, what I'm doing is taking antique frames from a private collection in Holland (owned by a master frame restorer who works with the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, etc.), photographing them, and running an algorithm on the bitmap to determine how the frame might fill itself with its own ornaments. Then, the pieces are physically built in a workshop outside Amsterdam.”

“The end result,” he continues, “is an original, one-of-a-kind meta-visual work which closely approximates the original digital model and unifies the frame with the interior artwork.”

Currently, Taylor Holland has completed eight frames as part of his series Fra[mes]. To follow Holland’s progress, visit the artist’s website, here.

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