Bjørn Staal

Bjørn Staal is an artist and software developer based in Oslo, Norway.

His work explores the dynamic interactions between computational systems, human perception & behavior. With more than a decade of experience in multidisciplinary design and software development, Staal co-founded the experimental art and design studio Void in 2015. Focused mainly on the development of large-scale interactive installations, Void has gained international recognition for its work at the intersection of design, architecture, technology, and art.

Since leaving the studio in 2023, Bjørn has focused on his own artistic practice, exploring how algorithms can enrich our understanding of what it means to be human in an age where more and more of our agency is being outsourced. Staal’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, as part of online and physical exhibitions as well as installations in public spaces. In September 2024, Staal had his first solo exhibition at Wintercircus in Ghent, Belgium.

Parent and Child (Divided)

2022

generative art

JavaScript

Fakewhale CROSS

#0

#1

Parent and Child (Divided) is an artefact of the artist's research on the relationship between simplicity and complexity in generative algorithms.

Inspired by Stephen Wolfram’s ideas on computational irreducibility, a system of very simple rules is comprised in such a way as to give rise to a rich and unpredictable tapestry of structure and texture, reminiscent of military grade satellite imagery or urban architectural plans. Although the final output is rendered at ultra high resolution, efforts have been made to ensure that each individual pixel sits “in its right place”, inviting the viewer to zoom in and experience the piece at varying levels of detail and complexity.

Parent and Child (Divided) #0 & #1 on Objkt

© Bjørn Staal