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Fig. 2.5
Feedback relationships between component and environment creates a self-observation
in the ecosystemic artwork “Colourfield”
Niche construction is enabled in this work through the addition of a self-
observation mechanism that genetically links drawing behaviour to local conditions.
As an individual agent draws on the canvas, the local density around it is measured.
Each agent has an allele that represents its ideal density preference, i.e. the local line
density that is most conducive to its survival, growth and reproduction. As the actual
density shifts away from this ideal value, the agent finds it harder to reproduce, grow
and survive. If the preferred density and actually density differ too greatly, the agent
will die (see Fig.
2.7
). Of course the actual value of this density preference is subject
to evolutionary change and over the life of the drawing, average density preference
increases in the population (McCormack
2010
). The niche construction process in-
fluences agent behaviour: low density liking agents try and draw large, closed spaces
to prevent other lines from decreasing their local density. High density seeking lines
