The web browser is a twenty-first century canvas

August 2026

I remember the moment I was first introduced to p5.js in an introductory class at NYU ITP. Until then, websites for me were just places to search for information, write documents, send emails, and so on. It was mind-blowing to realize the browser could be a space for unconventional expression.

Ever since, my creative practice has centered on building work with web-based media. Of all the mediums I’ve explored, these are the characteristics that make the web feel uniquely expressive to me.

1. It’s interactive.

Web pages react to every scroll, click, and keypress, drawing people directly into the work. Unlike static visuals or time-based media, web experience is dynamic and hands-on—it turns your audience into active participants. When properly integrated, interactivity makes the experience deeply immersive and contextual. I think of it as an extra dimension that makes art feel alive.

Take the demo below, for example: an element that follows your cursor. It’s subtle, but engaging. You can participate immediately without any context.

2. It’s computational.

Every pixel on the browser is rendered through code. That means your work can do things traditional mediums can’t — generate a unique composition on every load, respond to live APIs, or turn raw data directly into visual/audio compositions. I call these distinct features a new aesthetic.

Below is my work, Doors (2022). Every door is placed in a randomized position, creating a different composition for each view. Try refreshing the scene to see the layout rearrange.