Manifold
3 min readNov 1, 2024
a coded poem
//poem is in the comments (and on codepen)
let points = []; //you start as an empty set
let sigma, rho, beta; //with a faint idea of structure
function setup() {
//and a canvas to be projected upon
cnv = createCanvas((w = min(windowWidth, windowHeight) * 0.9), w);
//and so you begin
for (let i = 0; i < 5000; i++) {
points[i] = {
x: randomGaussian(0, w / 6),
y: randomGaussian(0, w / 6),
z: randomGaussian(0, w / 6)
};
}
//and your uniqueness begins
sigma = random(5, 15);
rho = random(15, 40);
beta = random(8 / 3, 20 / 3);
//with a softness
noStroke();
}
function draw() {
//with an origin
translate(w / 2, w / 2);
//and with time
t = frameCount / 100;
//and rotation
rotate(t / 5);
//and for each point of self
for (let i = 0; i < points.length; i++) {
//there is a separate change in time
let dt = random(0.00001, 0.0002);
//and in space
let dx = sigma * (points[i].y - points[i].x) * dt;
let dy = (points[i].x * (rho - points[i].z) - points[i].y) * dt;
let dz = (points[i].x * points[i].y - beta * points[i].z) * dt;
//that becomes part of your solution
points[i].x += dx;
points[i].y += dy;
points[i].z += dz;
push();
//with an ever-changing perspective
x = points[i].x * sin(t / 2) + points[i].z * cos(t / 2);
y = points[i].y * sin(t / 2) + points[i].x * cos(t / 2);
//with an ever-changing color
fill(
50 + 50 * sin(points[i].x / 90 - t),
150 + 100 * sin(points[i].y / 90 - t),
200 + 100 * sin(points[i].z / 90 + t / 2),
10
);
//you are painted
circle(x, y, 5);
//and realized
fill(255, 255, 255, 120);
circle(x, y, 1);
pop();
}
//and with new inputs
for (let i = 0; i < 20; i++) {
//you evolve
points.shift();
points.push({
x: randomGaussian(0, w / 5),
y: randomGaussian(0, w / 5),
z: randomGaussian(0, w / 5)
});
}
push();
rotate(-t / 5);
noFill();
stroke(255);
//to be framed in time
rect(-w / 2 + w / 20, -w / 2 + w / 20, w - w / 10, w - w / 10);
pop();
//manifold
}
function keyPressed() {
if (keyCode === 83) {
save(cnv, "manifold", "png");
}
if (keyCode === 32) {
setup();
draw();
}
console.log(points.length);
}
function windowResized() {
resizeCanvas((w = min(windowWidth, windowHeight) * 0.9), w);
}
//you start as an empty set
//with a faint idea of structure
//and a canvas to be projected upon
//and so you begin
//and your uniqueness begins
//with a softness
//with an origin
//and with time
//and rotation
//and for each point of self
//there is a separate change in time
//and in space
//that becomes part of your solution
//with an ever-changing perspective
//with an ever-changing color
//you are painted
//and realized
//and with new inputs
//you evolve
//to be framed in time
//manifold