This project began as an exploration of the seemingly simple: a 3×3 grid, akin to the face of a Rubik’s Cube, but restricted to two colors-black and white. What initially appears to be a straightforward configuration quickly reveals its deeper potential. With just these two colors and a 3×3 grid, there are 512 possible combinations, each representing a unique visual arrangement.

At its core, this project plays with the idea of how complexity arises from simplicity. While the framework is restricted, the possibilities are far from limited. As we continued to generate new iterations, it became clear that this grid, though minimal in appearance, could mesmerise and challenge viewers by pushing the boundaries of pattern recognition, randomness, and design.

The history of the 3×3 grid as a creative device goes back decades, from early explorations in Computerkunst in the late 1970s, to more contemporary work by artists such as Mario Klingemann. These artists, too, have delved into the possibilities of minimal frameworks to see how far simplicity can stretch into complexity. This lineage demonstrates that certain questions, like how many combinations can a simple grid produce?, are timeless. The results, though distilled, have universal appeal, showing how order and chaos exist side by side within structured systems.

In this project, we aim to explore these infinite possibilities while paying homage to the many creators who have walked this path before us. The grid is a canvas for creativity and iteration, where we will continue to generate new compositions, each one both constrained and boundless. By embracing this minimalist framework, we delve into the complex beauty that emerges from strict guidelines.

See the work in action: