COVID19 / TOGETHER
Kendra Raczek
04/06/2020
Generative Motion Typography
Description
COVID19 / TOGETHER is a generative motion typography capturing the binary between the current fear of the COVID-19 virus against the healing power of working together. It alternates between COVID19, wherein particles travel outwards in a menacing way, and TOGETHER, whose particles neutralize the black stain of COVID19. By pressing the mouse, the audience can change the color of the COVID19 particles to red, and the TOGETHER particles to a range of green.
Technology
This work was created in Processing, a programming language and development library created by Casey Reas and Ben Fry. Particles framing the letters are created using the Geomerative Library in Processing. Fonts used are “Downcome” by Misprinted Type and “Bebas” by Ryoichi Tsunekawa at Fontfabric Type Foundry. It uses frame-by-frame particle movement and mouse interaction.
Artist Statement
The original concept for COVID19 / TOGETHER was the binary between FEAR and HOPE, but as the
coronavirus pandemic has overtaken our lives as global citizens, I took an angle to directly address COVID19 and provide hope in this dark time.
In COVID19 mode, this work reflects the slow dreadful spread of the coronavirus all around the
world. From its epicenter, the virus has extended its claws to even the most remote places, inflicting
death and upturning economies. It is effectively a black stain that keeps growing, clouding our
earlier white happiness.
TOGETHER, on the other hand, has white particles that spread quickly outward, reflecting the swift
action people in healthcare, industry, and individuals at home have taken to save lives and prevent
the pandemic from spreading. Even though we may be apart from strangers and loved ones, we are
effectively working together to save the lives of those in our communities and around the world.
By incorporating user input through the mouse, I also wanted to replicate the concept that we as
individuals have direct influence over whether this pandemic leads to more deaths (blood red) or
leads to hope and renewal (green). It is up to us to work together by staying home and using safe
practices to protect others and ourselves.
