Early Computer Art
(1966-1968)
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From 1966 to 1968, I wrote computer programs that created artwork on line-printer paper using a LP-12 line-printer attached to a Bendix G-20 computer at Carnegie-Mellon University. Using esthetic constructs and constraints, I programmed the computer to generate these pieces itself. It was an early form of generative artificial intelligence. I exhibited the resultant pieces at a wide range of exhibitions that started at:
“Some More Beginnings”, BROOKLYN MUSEUM, New York, November 24, 1968 - January 5, 1969
“Cybernetic Serendipity”, INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS, London, England, August 2 - October 20, 1968
As visual output, I used a line-printer, which was designed for engineering output, not for creating visual artwork. I created tonality by having the computer print text characters on top of each other.
ALSO ...
I took the original software (which I had saved) that generated these pieces (written in Algol 60) and translated the software into the language “Swift”. I updated the software to take these abstract shapes and create an animated figure called Medusa, which I embedded into PalkaScore. If you follow “Getting Started with PalkaScore”, the “Medusa” button will appear and you can watch the generative animation.