Description

Although they look very traditional, the motifs in this headband are generated by using an algorithm called Conway’s Game of Life. The game applies a set of rules over a grid of squares to determine which are filled and which are blank. By repeatedly applying these rules, oscillating patterns can emerge. The stars in this piece are a three stage oscillator i.e. applying the rules to one gives another, repeat to get the third and repeat again to go back to the start. The small patterns are called gliders because they move across the grid as they oscillate. I have taken these motifs and placed them within the context of traditional Fair Isle knitting, replacing the OXO and peerie patterns of the 19th century with oscillators and gliders using a colour palette inspired by the earliest examples of Fair Isle knitting. Research for this work was funded by a Connected Innovators grant from Creative Informatics University of Edinburgh and Creative Edinburgh.

Once the item is purchased the maker will be in touch to arrange delivery of the item if it cannot be collected at Custom Lane on Sunday 11^th June between 12pm-4pm.