Reas Begins Process Series (2004-2010)

In his seminal series Process, documented comprehensively in the book Process Compendium 2004-2010, Casey Reas explores the intricate phenomenon of emergence through his unique artistic system. This system is built on the foundational elements of Forms, Behaviors and Elements, allowing Reas to generate an endless variety of visual compositions with his chosen visual grammar. Each element in this system—referred to as a simple machine—combines form with dynamic behaviors within a defined processual environment. For example, Process 4 populates a surface with simple machines, circles moving in straight lines at consistent speeds. As these elements overlap, lines are drawn between them, visually capturing their interaction. This kinetic drawing machine, devoid of a predetermined end, evolves visually through discrete steps where each element adapts based on its behavior, thus continuously creating new forms. Over seven years, Reas refined this system, producing a rich tapestry of forms that draw from diverse influences, including the history of mathematics and the concepts of artificial life. The Process Compendium captures this evolution through a collection of fifteen prints from Process 4 to Process 18, offering insights into the static and dynamic variations of these processes and the emergent visual phenomena they produce.