“We don’t make mistakes. We just make happy accidents”
– Bob Ross
A glitch is a digital malfunction that happens when someone creates a computer program. Glitches are mistakes that happen during programming. However, failure is necessary in order to succeed with anything. A glitch represents the process of experimentation and creation. When visually displayed, a glitch can form chaotic patterns and colors.
Out of these mistakes has emerged an aesthetic medium known as glitch art. This appreciation for glitches is nostalgic for some people. It’s fascinating and refreshing when compared to clean and functional systems.
Whether it’s data-moshed melting pixels, noisy colorful textures,
I feel like glitch art gives off 3 main feelings: Elegance, Edge, and Chaos. In some cases, glitches can convey fear. That’s because glitches are difficult to identify, and as people, we fear things that we cannot identify.
Ordered Chaos
There’s something inherently natural about glitches. With everything in nature and our universe, there’s a special kind of ordered chaos.
As people we view patterns. Patterns that cannot be identified are usually considered ugly. However, the moment you’re able to identify the pattern, it can be appreciated. Glitch art, like the branches of trees or the formation of clouds, is a chaotic pattern that can be deciphered and appreciated for the elegant abstraction that it is.
Glitch art is a reaction to the necessity behind orderly and functional technology. With an abundance of minimalist and clean websites, it’s a reminder that imperfect things are beautiful too.
