Out of Bounds

Verse is pleased to present Out of Bounds, a joint exhibition featuring New Zealand-based artists Rich Poole and Kelly Milligan. Both artists convey a sense of experimentation with the possibilities of representing minimal abstract compositions through generative practice.

Kelly's artistic prowess lies in the meticulous arrangement of his compositions. Unlike his previous works, in Scatter Process[or], generative algorithmic disruption has been introduced to these compositions. The machine/software scatters the constituent elements of its own creations, then slowly restores them to their clean, ordered, original forms. They evoke the process of transformation.

For Out of Bounds, Kelly has adapted Scatter Process[or] to blend its digital digital medium with physical touch. The catalyst for the disruption comes from the audience’s real-time interaction with the artwork. He wanted to make something that feels more natural and recognisable through human eyes as having human warmth, something that was mathematically perfect but organically imperfect. Through the viewer, the pieces become performances.

Rich’s new series, Ahunga, takes its name from the Māori word referring to the direction of movement, bearings, orientations. While the series is comprised of still images, each work contains a sense of dynamism, with cubic elements composed in a way that suggests movement and complex spatial relationships, recalling art historical movements such as the Suprematism of the early 20th century.

Ahunga’s varied algorithm draws inspiration from Poole’s early physical plotter work, where he weaved generative art into his creative process. The result is a curated collection that brings to mind early print techniques like wood blocking and etchings. Each artwork introduces different textures and styles, representing the potential of generative art and expanding our understanding of the medium's possibilities. Through his work, Rich asks us to embrace the symbiotic relationship between human creativity and the ability of the code, showcasing the boundless possibilities that arise from this harmonious union.

Both artists encourage the viewer to transcend the surface and explore the intricate connections between art and perception. Ultimately, their works make us contemplate the profound beauty found within the interplay of simplicity and complexity.