The project
Nouvelle Planète
Nouvelle Planète is a Swiss non-profit organization founded in 1986 that supports initiatives by rural populations in Africa, Asia and Latin America to improve their living conditions and promote self-sufficiency while preserving their environment.
This project, led by anthropologist and author Jeremy Narby for Nouvelle Planète, aims to improve the quality of life of Shipibo families in the Peruvian Amazon, preserve their ancestral knowledge and strengthen the role of women in their community. The Shipibo women are taught to identify, cultivate, and use medicinal plants.
The work
MazeFlipper is a generative artwork by Beervangeer, supporting Nouvelle Planète’s project for the Shipibo community. This collection celebrates the Shipibo people’s artistic expression and craftsmanship, merging their ancient traditions with modern generative art.
The project features 96 generative artworks and 6 unique embroideries handcrafted by Shipibo artisans, inspired by iterations curated from Beervangeer’s generative artwork.
The digital works launch on April 9th on ArtBlocks, while the embroideries will be available on the SuperGood website.
Generative Artwork
click to animate
The inspiration of the work lies in Kene patterns, a traditional Shipibo art form that represents spiritual communication and embodies mathematical beauty through intuitive creation. These patterns follow geometric principles like reflection, rotation, and translation, creating complex tessellations that mirror modern algorithmic art.
By viewing Kene patterns through the lens of mathematical structures, we recognize them as an early form of generative art. This perspective bridges the gap between ancient cultural practices and modern technological art forms. It highlights how universal mathematical principles are across time and cultures, showing how basic concepts of geometry and symmetry inspire creativity no matter the medium.
Shipibo embroidery with white Kene patterns
MazeFlipper draws parallels between the recursive nature of Kene patterns and contemporary computational art, highlighting how ancient wisdom naturally incorporated mathematical principles that are now used in digital creation. Van Geer specifically combines Western maze symbolism, known for representing spiritual and intellectual journeys, with Shipibo Kene art's cosmic snake motifs and endless patterns.
The work's designs resonate across multiple scales, from microscopic circuit boards to urban landscapes viewed from above, and even to cosmic structures of galaxy clusters. This multi-layered approach suggests universal organizational principles that connect different scales of reality. The project serves as both a cultural bridge and a philosophical exploration, inviting viewers to contemplate the recurring patterns that might reveal fundamental truths about existence while preserving and honoring indigenous artistic traditions.
Embroideries
Shipibo artisans embraced the challenge of interpreting Beervangeer’s generative maze designs into embroidered artworks, infusing them with their cultural heritage and creative intuition. Using traditional techniques, they reimagined his digital patterns, adding depth and authenticity to the project.
This collaboration highlights Shipibo traditional skills, generates economic opportunities for their community, and allows collectors to acquire a unique physical work, fusing digital art with traditional craftsmanship.
NFT owners can order embroidered versions of their artwork. Contact us for more information.
The impact
Funds from the sale of both the NFTs and the embroideries will be donated to the NGO Nouvelle Planète to support the Shipibo community.
These contributions will help develop medicinal plant gardens in the villages, preserve their ancestral knowledge, and empower women within the community.
The artist
Beer van Geer
Lives and works in the Netherlands
Beer van Geer is an interactive media artist, working in the field of biofeedback art. He moves between experimental art projects and the world of applied art integration in healthcare. By use of biofeedback and physiological data he creates modern day rituals, in which generative art is used to gain insight in the human unconsciousness.