Exponential Growth

Beeple considers technology to be a form of natural evolution, believing that human creations are extensions of nature itself and the inevitable results of nature’s involvement. In this work, a giant vine spirals up to the sky with mighty force, with countless flowers continuously undergoing cycles of growth, bloom, and decay. Every moment of the piece presents an entirely different image from the previous one, with no two seconds alike. This display of ultra-high density of detail symbolises the rapid iteration and innovation of technology, and reflects the complexity of modern life. With the in-depth fusion of art and technology, human’s capabilities to depict nature through artificial means has greatly advanced. Exponential Growth is created with five core layers generated from four stylistically different original videos. By programming, the artist arbitrarily blends the five layers and randomly adjusts each layer’s transparency from 0 to 100 every 0 to 30 seconds, producing up to two billion possible plant landscapes in real time. By constructing visual depth and complexity, Beeple enables viewers to continuously discover new subtle details even during long period of observation.

Floral still lifes are an important medium for artists to create, or they can be expanded into wide range of topics for people to discuss, and Exponential Growth is a piece Beeple created specifically for this exhibition after being inspired by the exhibition Nothing Still about Still Lifes at Deji Art Museum. By transforming classic still lifes into dynamic, ever-changing visual experiences, Beeple juxtaposes the organic beauty of nature with the continuous advancement of technology. He discusses the symbiotic relationship between humanity and technology and its state of exponential growth, guiding the audience to reflect on the profound impact of this dynamic interaction on natural evolution, potentially driven by humanity’s perception of technology.