Random Methodologies is an ongoing experimental art project at tbC. It evolved during a discussion in the studio amongst a group of artists who had met for the day to make art together. While making art, young member Damien McIntyre mentioned that he sees numbers as colours. This sparked a deeper conversation around the concept of synaesthesia, the ability some people have to see and even hear in colour. This conversation led to studio experimentation and investigation, culminating in the making of drawings directed by the roll of a die.
Dice Drawings
Dice Drawings began with members of tbC rolling a die and using the random number rolled to dictate the colour and length of lines drawn on paper. tbC artists used Damien’s colour coding and the corresponding centimetre measurements to define these lines. (lines were initially rendered 1cm-6cm but are also often drawn in multiples: 1cm = 10cm, 2cm = 20cm etc.)
#1 - represented a black 1cm line
#2 - represented a yellow 2cm line
#3 - represented a Green 3cm line
#4 - represented a blue 4cm line
#5 - represented a purple 5cm line
#6 - represented a red 6cm line
While initially directed by the random number rolled by the die, the direction of a drawing is up to the artist. Despite these drawings technically being directed by the die, creativity blossoms in the final expression of the drawing. Furthermore, no two artists can roll the same random sequence of numbers, which means each artwork is rendered unique.
Apart from the creative enjoyment tbC members find in making these artworks, they also find the practice wonderfully social. This leads to more discussion and investigation – and more artworks. (Which are described in more detail shortly).
For now, why don’t you stop reading and make your own Dice Drawing? All you need is:
A die (you can download a digital dice app if you want)
Six coloured pens (you can choose your own colours if you want to)
A ruler (if you want to use straight, measured lines)
A small piece of paper (tbC artists found A5 is a good size to start with)
As tbC artists originally did, you can draw straight lines according to Damien’s colour coding and measurements (or multiples of) or, like many others have done since, you can use curved lines, shapes or shading. Send us a photo of your drawing if you want! We are often amazed at what people end up drawing. We’d love to see yours: info@tbcarts.com.
The drawings pictured here form part of a larger body of artwork by tbC artists, printed and exhibited in several galleries in and around Melbourne. Some of these works were digitally rendered and printed out at around 70cm square on fine art paper.
Dice Drawing at tbC sparked a second art project called Random Methodologies (sound).
Random Methodologies (Sound)
This project was developed in collaboration with mentor sound artist Roderick Price. Together, tbC and Rod made generative digital sound artworks where a die roll directed multi-layered aural experiences and compositions.
Sounds, dialogue and music were recorded by tbC from the studio space and the local community and then sampled and edited by Rod to produce multi-layered looped soundtracks. These tracks were programmed into a midi player. The midi player buttons were numbered 1-6, corresponding to a die. Rolling a die directed the participant to activate and deactivate the midi player buttons. Each button pressed added and removed sound loops, creating an evolving soundscape. In playing this game, the player becomes a composer, authoring a unique sound artwork.
Each work is unique yet programmed. Although guided by the roll of a die and the digital interface of the midi player, no two works can ever be the same due to the randomness of the numbers rolled by the die. These soundscapes aren’t always recorded. They are often left as impermanent, ephemeral artistic experiences.
Here are three we recorded to document the project:
Random Methodologies (or Sonic Sketching) 1
Random Methodologies (or Sonic Sketching) 2
Random Methodologies (or Sonic Sketching) 3
These experimental and investigative studio experiences have inspired more artworks that continue to focus on in-studio conversations.
The Art of Conversation (Digital) and The Art of Conversation (Gallery).