Life Lines – PLANT MACHINE DESIGN GROUP at UVM

Phytomechatronic Experiment #2: Life Lines, 2023 – present

A confluence of organic leaf patterning and machine tooling marks, these works explore the formal qualities of the Damaged Leaf Dataset (DLD) and the formal qualities of marks made by machines. The margins of each leaf were designed with assistance from generative AI trained on Gen I and Gen II of the DLD. The interior lines are determined by plant and machine efficiencies.

Jenn Karson, *Leaf 271 Life Lines* (from Phytomechatronics), 2024. Robotic drawing, India ink on archival paper, 11 × 14 inches. Edition of 5.

Jenn Karson, *Leaf 84 Life Lines* (from Phytomechatronics), 2024. Robotic drawing, India ink on archival paper, 11 × 14 inches. Edition of 5.

Jenn Karson, *Leaf 271 Life Lines* (from Phytomechatronics), 2024. Robotic engraving, machining ink and aluminum, 6.5 × 5 inches.

Jenn Karson, *(Error) Life Lines* (from Phytomechatronics), 2024. Robotic engraving, machining ink and aluminum, 6 × 3 inches.

90″ x 60″ prints from this series will be on view in The Generative Tree exhibition, January 10- March 15, 2025.