P-100, "combinatorial framework of the ordinal 15", plotter drawing ink on paper, 50cm x 50cm, 1972

© 1972 by Manfred Mohr

About the algorithm:
This drawing is composed of a number of elements from previous programs created around this time. Each square in the matrix is filled with horizontally oriented curves formed from random points and smoothed with a third degree spline function. The spaces between the curves are filled with parallel vertical lines at variable distances.
At each square of the matrix, a decision is made whether a smaller square area is cut out from the previously filled matrix square. In a subsequent decision these spaces are left blank or filled with the following procedure.
A path finding and space dividing algorithm follows a matrix of points within a square boundary. A randomly generated path is formed starting at an edge of the square boundary and finishing when it reaches another edge of the square boundary. The path is created from combinations of horizontal and vertical lines as well as arcs of circles. This procedure is repeated by generating non-overlapping paths until the space is filled and no other paths are possible. In a further step, the algorithm decides whether or not these paths are to be filled with parallel lines (following the rules of parity) to form surfaces.

First published:
Catalog Manfred Mohr, "Drawings Dessins Zeichnungen Dibujos", Galerie Weiller, Paris and Galerie Gilles Gheerbrant, Montreal, 1974