Echo Delocation

Echo Delocation is a digital collage that combines AI-synthesized assets with generative art through the use of algorithmically produced papers.

Rooted in the experimental spirit of early 20th century abstract art, Echo Delocation recalls the exploratory incorporation of chance and randomness by artists such as Hans Arp, in particular his “chance collages”, whereby he would create compositions from torn up pieces of paper (usually his own unfinished drawings), according to the pattern they made when thrown to the floor.

Rather than introduce physics and gravity to erase the intention of the artist’s hand, Xie looks to generative algorithms and AI to achieve the same effect.

The paper-like quality of the composition’s various elements suggest the notable legacy of its analog roots - indeed, Matisse’s famous cut-out abstractions come to mind, as well (Echoes, if you will) - while also reminding us of the fragility and scrappiness of the artist’s task: bringing a vision to life, grappling with and overcoming constraints, finding beauty in the everyday, conjuring something from nothing.

Medium: Digital collage, Javascript, generative AI

Year: 2025