Do you know there is a piece of computer art on the moon?
Find out in Tickle issue #85, available as an NFT on Objkt.com
Latest article for The Tickle now published
Filmed interview with Dominic Harris for Studio International
On the occasion of Dominic Harris’s exhibition at Halcyon Gallery, the artist and I toured his exhibition and discussed his practice and inspirations – click here to watch
On-line talk March 29 2023: History of AI in the Arts – the UK in the 1970s
7pm in the UK – 2pm in NYC, via Zoom
Join me for a special on-line session with 3 pioneers of computer and computational art – precursors of today’s AI & Generative Art, all of whom have a connection to the Slade School of Art and Leicester Polytechnic in the early to late 1970s.
Ernest Edmonds will describe his pioneering work with Stroud Cornock at Leicester Polytechnic, the Invention of Problems events in 1970-71, his friendship with Edward Ihnatowicz, the relationship with the Slade and the formation of the Human Computer Interface Research Unit. Stephen Bell, one of the Slade students who continued his research with Ernest, will also talk about Dominic Boreham another student who went on to the HCIRU. Paul Brown, another student at the Slade and later a Research Fellow there, will talk about his friendship with Harold Cohen and Chris Briscoe and discuss his own work with AI and A-life.
The Tickle
I am super thrilled to be joining two dynamic creators/editors – Jess Britton and Johnny Dean Mann on their digital art magazine The Tickle. I am writing a monthly column – starting with Issue No.80, about the history of this field – each month a new topic. I’m looking forward to covering some historical subjects that still have relevance in the art world today, especially with reference to technology, society and early digital art. First up is Stroud Cornock and Ernest Edmonds with a work from 1970!
New book art:notes+works Ernest Edmonds
This beautifully-illustrated book about award winning digital and systems artist Ernest Edmonds, covers his career from 1960 to present. The Introduction includes a transcription of a ‘Conversation’ between Ernest and I that took place at the Paul Mellon Centre last year – hit the VIDEOS tab above to see a recording on YouTube of this lecture and conversation.
Review of Harold Cohen exhibition now published by Studio International
Can one human’s artistic knowledge be encoded? That is what artist Harold Cohen set out to do when he created AARON, his art making computer program. Read my review published in Studio International and go and see the show at Gazelli Art House in London (on till 19 November). Also of interest is my panel discussion held in the Gallery on the 25 October, watch the recording here.
British Art & Cybernetics ZOOM Presentation 11 October 2022
Join me for British Art & Cybernetics, a talk for “Cybernetics Snacks” – convened by the School of Cybernetics at Australian National University.
TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER – 8pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (9 am in the UK)
Info: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/cybernetics-snacks/catherine-mason/
RIP Herbert W Franke
I am very saddened to hear of the death of Herbert Franke (1927-2022). He was always very kind an helpful to me whenever I had a question, particularly about the early years of computer art in Germany. He was a polymath – a pioneer and innovator of algorithmic and generative art creation, right up to the last. We worked together in 2013 on an article for ITNow, the magazine of the British Computer Society, published February that year. Above is an image from that time, which he sent me in advance of its publication.
Forthcoming event at the Paul Mellon Centre for British Art, London – 25 May
British Cybernetic Art: The Origins of Digital Art
Thrilled to be participating in the Liquid Crystal Concrete Summer Research Seminar Series at the Paul Mellon Centre for British Art. My session will be focusing on the history of British Cybernetics and how this led to the creation of computer and digital art. Secondly, I will be in conversation with pioneering computer & computational artist Ernest Edmonds, to discuss how cybernetics has influenced the development of his work.
Watch a RECORDING ON YOUTUBE
25 May, 6-7.30pm : Join me on Zoom (or in person – London!) get a free ticket from Eventbrite
New paper on Robert Mallary just published
My latest research on artist Robert Mallary (1917-1997) has just been published, part of the Review of Machine Art Special Issue of Arts. Read “An Element of Perfection: The Transductive Art of Robert Mallary”. Before the realm of techno-art became a recognizable construct, Mallary was interested in a system of relationships, seeking in his words, ‘an element of perfection’ in combinations of materials and technologies to make ‘a beautiful whole’. I argue there is an art historical trajectory of a 3D immersive type of art that takes place in a specific defined environment – a concept that I link from Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siquerios through Kurt Schwitters via Mallary and the bourgeoning field of “art & technology” in the middle decades of the 20th century.