computer art

An art style begun after 1945 when wartime analogue computers were adapted to make abstract drawings; for example, the work of English artist and philosopher, Desmond Paul Henry (1921– ), included in the ‘Cybernetic Serendipity’ exhibition, London, in 1968. However, since the mid-1960s, modern digital computers have been used to produce drawings, paintings, and even sculpture (eg Charles Csuri, Robert Mallory). Typically, the artist designs programmes, which may include some randomizing element, and the results are printed out by machine; but it is possible to incorporate light and sound input, and frequently the artist intervenes during the production of the image.

With so many traditional disciplines integrating digital technologies, the lines between traditional works of art and new media works created by computers continue to blur. Defining computer art by its end product proves to be quite difficult, the finished work can exist as an image, sound, animation, video, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Web site, algorithm, performance or gallery installation. The only true definition of computer generated art can be found with the creator, a person who in fact uses the computer as his or her primary tool.

The most recent evolution of computer art is allowing the computers to create the art themselves, through the use of evolutionary computing and Swarm principles. Italian artist Aldo Giorgini, one of the trailblazers who fought for the recognition of computer art as a valid art form said in a 1974 interview that "serendipitous or accidental computer art is not to be considered a valid art form," albeit that it "can serve as an exploratory device or as a source of ideas."

Artists are now embracing various forms of computer art, combining traditional painting with algorithm art and other digital techniques. This type of art is also beginning to appear in art museum exhibits, often featuring artists such as James Faure Walker.