Tyler Hobbs

Minted by surrogate.brightmoments.eth

BrightMoments

Acquired from above

Tyler Hobbs is a visual artist from Austin, Texas who works primarily with algorithms, plotters and paint. His artwork focuses on computational aesthetics, how they are shaped by the biases of modern computer hardware and software, and how they relate to and interact with the natural world around us. Tyler develops and programs custom algorithms that are used to generate visual imagery. Often, these strike a balance between the cold, hard structure that computers excel at, and the messy, organic chaos we can observe in the natural world around us. Tyler’s drawings, paintings, and digital works have been shown internationally and are collected publicly.

Incomplete Control is a series of 100 unique iterations produced from a single algorithm. The works were created as NFTs via the Art Blocks platform, and were minted during a live, four-day event at the Bright Moments Gallery in New York City.

Incomplete Control deals heavily with imperfection. 

“I have always been interested in the presence of imperfection in the analog world, and the relative absence of it in the digital world. The forces of chaos and entropy give the natural world a certain warmth. There are patterns and lessons there that we can beneficially introduce into the digital world. One prerequisite is that the creator must, at least partially, give up control. Incomplete Control is a test of my ability to do this - to allow the output to define an entire space of potential existence rather than limited specifics.”

TYLER HOBBS

In the realm of digital creation, the potential for precision is virtually limitless. Modern computers and software are meticulously optimized to produce flawless, sharp, and smooth results, leading most digital constructs to share these same characteristics. Yet, the question arises: must this rigidity define all digital art?

For Tyler Hobbs, the challenge of creating algorithmic artwork that isn’t “perfect” is a curious one. In the analog world, imperfections arise naturally, adding a unique character to every creation. These so-called “flaws” aren’t random; they often follow their own patterns, influenced by the creation process, environmental factors, and biological influences. Each imperfection tells a story, adding layers of depth, richness, and gravity to the object.

Hobbs aspires to infuse his digital creations with a similar complexity and richness. His project, Incomplete Control, represents a step toward this goal. In this work, he intentionally avoids the concept of "traits"—the metadata typically used to label and define the characteristics of digital outputs. He believes such labels are overly reductive, failing to capture the nuanced qualities like balance, harmony, tranquility, and rhythm that make each piece intriguing. To categorize the works would be to limit their potential for deeper understanding and appreciation.

Moreover, the outputs of Incomplete Control don't fit neatly into distinct categories. The project is an exploration of a continuous, unified space where decisions are made along a spectrum, with no clear boundaries separating one output from another. This approach allows the work to remain open-ended, inviting endless observation and contemplation, much like the analog imperfections that inspire it.