When I first saw the outputs of "Constraint" by Eric Andwer, I was immediately in love with them.
The variety of styles and colours feels astonishing and gives each of the 232 outputs a uniqueness that makes "Constraint" stand out from the mass of generative artworks.
Minimal and complex iterations alike show organic textures and warm earth tones, occasionally accentuated by vibrant reds, yellows or greens. Sometimes, basic shapes like squares, circles or, unexpected and conciliatory, hearts, emerge from the countless, irregular dots and dashes that make up the images. The results resemble mutated dreamcatchers, fungal fireworks, paint splash stencils, and much more.
In his description, Andwer provides a comment on consumerism, social rules and public expectations that's full of sarcasm. He criticises capitalist structures, performative social interactions and superficial facades, mentioning the alienation and frustration they lead to.
Yet although the images are clearly subject to rules and instructions, they appear to be wild and free. The outputs are rich in texture and interaction, and defy their intrinsic limitations. The images manage to stay unique and beautiful.
To me, this intentional juxtaposition of creativity and constraint reveals the constant conflict that our society is in. Comfort and safety have to be balanced with freedom and self–realisation, all the time working towards making sure that nobody is left behind. Finding the right balance is something that, in life, hardly ever makes people happy.
Eric Andwer‘s "Constraint" managed to achieve this rare balance.