Snapshot: Creating contemporary art that’s centered upon the notion of technology and automation of society, Andreas Nicolas Fischer shows us alternate realities defined by digital renditions of data with his four year long "Schwarm" series.

Berlin based artist Andreas Nicolas Fischer has been busy pioneering ideas with artwork that shows digital data rendered in physical form. Though he’s created many projects that fully embrace the use of advanced technology as a medium, his annual series, Schwarm, defines an aspect he seeks to showcase: “the ephemeral nature of the ever-changing composition.”

“Schwarm is a constantly changing abstract composition running in real time. A collection of particles moves over a surface leaving behind overlapping traces. This results in a sequence of unique Images, whose development is unpredictable.”

— Andreas Nicolas Fischer

Schwarm III, an exhibition featuring pieces created by the program, displays the defining aspects of Fischer’s works. The application processes particles through a defined set of rules to gradually transform a photograph into an abstract image. Developing a new image over a long period of time, the new images lose almost all resemblance of their original photo. The alterations occur slowly, sometimes barely noticeable by eye. Altering the particles in what resembles long brush strokes, the image is ever changing based on the color values determined by the program. Attaining a texture alike to flowing clouds, or in some cases, felt, only the colors and composition remain after Schwarm completes the process.

Keep up with Fischer on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter