Bridges 2011 Regular Paper

For artistic purposes, we modify a unusual model for pattern formation derived from simulating transport networks using virtual ants. More specifically, by suitably coloring the pheromone trails produced by the virtual ants that form the transport networks, and by overlaying a series of such networks, we obtain abstract pieces that have interesting depth and color interactions. Moreover, because of the way they are formed, these patterns also tile the plane. The elegance and simplicity that results is contrasted with the complexity of the underlying simulation---a central theme which informs our work.