I'm on Acid

AUTHOR:

Marco Natolli

YEAR:

2025

COUNTRY:

Italy

CONCEPT:

I'm on Acid - Selfe generative optical images. CONCEPT: Every piece is a single file, a "digital artifact," that combines vector art, code, and narrative. It is designed to be fully self-contained, with no external dependencies (like CSS files or JavaScript libraries), so it can be downloaded and viewed as-is, preserving its integrity and intellectual property. The goal is to create a mesmerizing visual experience that explores themes of optical illusion and generative art, all while being a minimal and ethical digital asset (11KB file size). DESIGN: Inspired by op art and psychedelic visuals, the design uses two layers of complex, overlapping vector paths. One layer is a single, intricate black shape that is duplicated and colored in two different hues—a vibrant cyan and a deep red. These two layers are placed directly on top of each other. The specific paths were meticulously designed to create an illusion of depth and motion when viewed. DEBUG: The key to the animation lies in CSS keyframe animations. The two colored layers are given slightly different, subtle `transform` animations. One layer oscillates in position and rotation, while the other oscillates in the reverse direction. This seemingly simple difference in motion, when combined with the `mix-blend-mode: screen` property, creates the complex, constantly shifting optical illusions. Fine-tuning the animation duration (60 seconds) and the movement values (e.g., `0.5px`, `0.5deg`) was critical to achieving a hypnotic, non-repeating pattern that feels alive and organic. GOAL: The final goal of the work is to release a piece of digital art that is ethically minted and accessible. By keeping the file size small and the complexity within a single SVG, it aims to be a sustainable and portable digital asset. The artwork is intended to be a visual and technical statement, proving that powerful, generative art can be created with minimal resources, fully self-contained, and with a transparent, embedded story of its creation.

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