10 Moments from Generative Art Timeline Chapter 2: The Modern Era 1850-1949 by le random.
10 moments from generative art timeline chapter 2: The modern era 1850-1949 by Le Random
The Modern Era! On July 20 at 5 p.m. UTC, Le Random has invited Kate Vass to share insights into 10 Moments from Generative Art Timeline Chapter 2: The Modern Era 1850-1949.
This fantastic panel, moderated by the Le Random team @thefunnyguysNFT, features Peter Bauman @MonkAntonytez, and @DlSPUTED. 🎤
Can't make it to the live event? Don't worry! The space was recorded, and you can catch the full discussion here: ➡️ https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1OyJAVVzbAzxb?s=20
Don't miss this chance to dive into the world of generative art and explore its fascinating history. We decided to feature all the 10 points and add additional ones that we did not have a chance to mention during the live talk.
1. The Great Exhibition of London Lights Early Spark of the Arts & Crafts Movement (1851)
A watercolour depicting the royal party on the dais under the baldacchino, at the crossing of the Crystal Palace, with Prince Albert standing at the head of the Commissioners, reading their report to the Queen. Source: https://www.rct.uk
- About the event:
o The Great Exhibition of London, also known as The Crystal Palace Exhibition, took place in 1851. This was the first in a series of World's Fair exhibitions of culture and industry that became popular in the 19th century. It was an early spark of the Arts & Crafts Movement, an international trend in the decorative and fine arts that began in Britain and flourished in Europe and North America.
o The Great Exhibition was organized by Prince Albert and Sir Henry Cole to showcase British industrial technology and culture, but it also ended up featuring works from around the world. It attracted over six million visitors and displayed thousands of objects from various contributors, including manufacturers, companies and individuals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Exhibition
o Exhibition's impact resonated into the art world, foreshadowing the emergence of the Arts & Crafts movement later in the century. This movement was a response to the Industrial Revolution's mechanization and mass production, advocating for a return to handcrafted goods, which they believed held more character and quality. The movement sought to promote craftsmanship, traditional techniques, and the integration of art into everyday life. Led by influential figures such as William Morris, John Ruskin, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_movement
§ Connection with Art Nouveau (late 19th – early 20th century – France / other variations: Secession – Austria / Jugendstil – Germany / Modernisme – Spain)
· This movement took some ideas from the Arts & Crafts movement (like the value of good design and craftsmanship), but combined these with more organic forms, often inspired by nature. Unlike Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau embraced some aspects of industrialization and was more open to using new materials and techniques.
· Political situation in France (during the style Art Nouveau):
o Art Nouveau, or 'new art' in French, emerged during a period of significant political stability known as the Belle Époque or 'beautiful era' in France. This period, from the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 to the start of World War I in 1914, was characterized by optimism, regional peace, economic prosperity, and technological, scientific, and cultural innovations.
o Third Republic: France was governed by the Third French Republic during the Art Nouveau period.
o Colonial Expansion: France was engaged in an era of colonial expansion during this period, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia.
o Paris as a Cultural Hub: Paris was at the center of the Art Nouveau movement and a vibrant cultural hub during this time.
§ Connection with Bauhaus (1919-1933)
· The Bauhaus was a school of design in Germany that combined crafts and fine arts. It was founded by architect Walter Gropius who believed in creating a total work of art in which all arts. While the Bauhaus rejected the ornamental aspects of both the Arts & Crafts movement and Art Nouveau, it carried their ideals forward in the idea that design and architecture could and should be used to improve society.
· Political situation in Germany (also see point 6.):
o Weimar Republic (1919-1933): The Bauhaus was established just after the end of World War I, during the period of the Weimar Republic. This era was marked by political unrest, economic volatility (including hyperinflation in the early 1920s), and the cultural flowering known as the Weimar Renaissance.
o The Great Depression (1929): The global economic downturn greatly affected Germany, leading to high unemployment rates and severe economic hardship. These conditions contributed to public disaffection with the Weimar government and the rise of the Nazi party.
o Rise of the Nazi Party (1933): The Bauhaus was viewed with suspicion by the Nazi regime due to its modernist styles and its international (and thus 'un-German') influences. Increasing pressure from the Nazi regime led to the closure of the Bauhaus school in 1933.
- Political situation worldwide:
o 1851 was a time of relative peace but increasing global connectivity.
§ British Empire was nearing its height
§ United States was gearing towards a civil war
§ Europe was dealing with the aftermath of the 1848 Revolutions which saw numerous political and social changes.
- Important innovations:
o Vibrant era due to the ongoing Industrial Revolution
o Steam Power and Railways: Steam power had been rapidly developing throughout the first half of the 19th century. By the 1850s, steam-powered railways had started to crisscross countries.
o Telegraph system: It was also improving and expanding, enabling faster communication across long distances. Samuel Morse developed the telegraph in the 1830s-1840s – Morse system
o Sewing Machine: It was invented by Elias Howe and improved upon by Isaac Singer, revolutionized the textile industry and home sewing in the 1850s.
o Iron and Steel Construction: The Industrial Revolution introduced new materials and techniques that greatly influenced architecture. The development of affordable and robust cast iron and steel catalyzed significant advances in construction. (One of the most famous examples is the Crystal Palace itself.)
o invention of photography took place in the early 19th century in 1827, and by 1851, it was already well-established
- Other scientific events:
o 1851 saw the publication of Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick"
o The first issue of the New York Times
- Iconic artworks:
o J. M. W. Turner - Rain, Steam, and Speed – The Great Western Railway (1844)
o Gustave Courbet The Stone Breakers (1849-50)
o Arts and Craft:
§ William Morris - Wallpaper Designs (1862–1910)
§ William Morris - Red House, 1860
2. Modern art Begins: Manet’s Work Rejected by Paris Salon (1863) + Cézanne’s Mont Sainte-Victoire Series (1870-1906)
Paul Cézanne, Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Viaduct of the Arc River Valley, 1882-1885 Source: https://drawpaintacademy.com
- About the event:
- Manet’s work was rejected:
- Manet’s innovative approach of painting modern life and his radical style (looser, more gestural style + his focus on modern, urban subject matter) challenged the conventions of academic painting and were deemed too provocative by traditional standards. His famous painting “Le déjeuner sur l'herbe” (The Luncheon on the Grass) was notably rejected by the Salon. The public rejection led to the Salon des Refusés, an exhibition of works rejected by the Salon, where Manet's work was displayed. (Édouard Manet was not strictly an Impressionist painter!)
- - Cezanne, Mont Sainte Victoire Series:
- Paul Cézanne’s “Mont Sainte-Victoire” series, painted between 1870 and 1906, were critical in transitioning from 19th-century conception to a new and radically different world of art in the 20th century. His work is often described as bridging Impressionism and the development of Cubism.
- Political situation worldwide:
- American Civil War (1861-1865): This was one of the most transformative and deadly wars in U.S. history, leading to the abolition of slavery and significant changes in American society and the economy.
- Unification of Germany (1871): Under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, the German states were unified into a single nation, changing the balance of power in Europe.
- In France – see above (Art Nouveau)
- Important innovations:
- Telephone (1876): Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, drastically changing the way people communicate.
- Phonograph (1877): Thomas Edison invented the phonograph
- Electric Light Bulb (1879): Another invention of Thomas Edison. It had a huge effect on society, extending the potential for productivity into the darker hours.
- Automobiles (1885-6): German inventors Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler independently developed what are considered the first practical automobiles.
- Radio (1895): Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor, demonstrated the practical use of radio waves for communication.
- X-Rays (1895): Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, discovered X-rays, opening up a new era in medical diagnostics.
- Airplane (1903): The Wright Brothers made the first successful controlled flight.
- Other scientific events:
- Theory of Special Relativity (1905): Albert Einstein published the theory of special relativity.
- The Eiffel Tower, completed in 1889
- Iconic artworks:
- Édouard Manet - Olympia (1863)
- Vincent van Gogh - The Starry Night (1889)
- Auguste Rodin - The Thinker (1904)
3. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Picasso kicks off Cubism (1907)
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 by Pablo Picasso Source: https://www.pablopicasso.org/avignon.jsp
- About the event:
- The painting "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" by Pablo Picasso is widely acknowledged as a landmark in the evolution of modern art. Created in 1907, this work displays a radical departure from traditional painting norms, incorporating multiple perspectives within a single image and introducing elements of African tribal masks, two key characteristics that would later be associated with Cubism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Demoiselles_d%27Avignon
- Cubism was a revolutionary new approach to representing reality invented in around 1907–08 by artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Influenced by the works of Paul Cézanne, who himself had attempted to break down objects into their geometric constituents. Together, they developed a revolutionary style where objects were analyzed, broken up and reassembled in an abstracted form. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/cubism
- Political situation worldwide:
- Triple Entente Formed: One of the most pivotal political events of 1907 was the formation of the Triple Entente. This was a diplomatic and military alliance between the United Kingdom, France, and Russia
- Immigration Act of 1907 in the United States: In the United States, the Immigration Act of 1907 was passed. This act represented a growing movement within the United States to place restrictions on immigration, specifically targeting Asians.
- Important innovations:
- Color Photography (1907) - The Autochrome Lumière process: the first practical color photography process, was patented in 1903 by the Lumière brothers in France and marketed in 1907.
- Bakelite (1907): Leo Hendrik Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic, made from phenol and formaldehyde.
- Plastic: Belgian-born American Leo Hendrik Baekeland invented Bakelite in 1907, the first synthetic plastic
- Other iconic artworks:
- Gustav Klimt - The Kiss (1907-1908)
- Henri Matisse – The Blue Nude (Souvenir de Biskra) (1907)
Group IV, The Ten Largest, No. 7, Adulthood (1907) by Hilma af KlintSource: https://www.guggenheim.org
4. The Ten Biggest, No 7 by Hilma af Klint (1907)
- About the event:
- It is a part of a series of paintings by the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint. Created in 1907, this artwork is one of ten large, abstract paintings that trace the different stages of life, from childhood to old age. Klint’s works were colorful, bold, and rich in symbolism, often drawing on spiritual and philosophical concepts. In fact, she was creating abstract paintings several years before Kandinsky, Mondrian, and Malevich, who are traditionally considered the pioneers of European abstract art.
- Her art was first shown to the public in the 1980s, and it was not until the 21st century that she began to be recognized.
Hilma af Klint led a life devoted to transcendental spiritualism, a religious movement that thrived in literary and artistic circles in Europe and America during the early 20th century. This movement was centered on the belief that communication with spirits was possible, and séances were commonly held to receive messages from the deceased or other spiritual entities. Af Klint's involvement in séances began in her teenage years in 1879.
In 1906, during one such séance when she was 43 years old, the artist claimed to have received a divine commission. She believed that a higher being had tasked her with creating paintings on a transcendental plane, destined to be displayed in a circular temple designed specifically to house them. Over the following nine years, af Klint completed what she called her "great commission," comprising a massive series of 193 works known as The Paintings for the Temple. This collection includes her earliest abstract pieces, as well as the paintings currently showcased in this gallery.
Af Klint intended The Ten Largest, a group of paintings from 1907, to be displayed together, creating what she described as a "beautiful wall covering," just as they are presented here.
5. Tatlin and Rodchenko Found Constructivism (1915) and Malevich Stages the 0.10 Exhibition with Black Square. (1915)
Aleksandr Rodchenko Composition, 1919. Source: https://www.moma.org
- About the event:
- Constructivism:
- Constructivism was founded in Russia around 1915 by Vladimir Tatlin and Alexander Rodchenko. They sought to create art that was practical, functional, and accessible to the masses. It also celebrated the advancements of industrialization and embraced modern materials and techniques. Constructivism emphasized the social and political aspects of art. Artists believed that art should serve a greater purpose and contribute to the construction of a new society. It aimed to integrate art into everyday life. They believed that art should be present in all aspects of society, from architecture and design to advertising and propaganda. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(art)
- Suprematism:
- In 1915, Kazimir Malevich, a Russian avant-garde artist, organized the 0.10 Exhibition in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). Malevich and his fellow artists rejected representational art and sought to explore new forms of expression that went beyond depicting the physical world. They aimed to capture the essence of pure artistic creation and transcend the limitations of conventional art forms. At the center of the exhibition stood Malevich's "Black Square," a simple black square painted on a white canvas. This seemingly minimalistic artwork was a revolutionary statement, representing a departure from the objective world and embracing abstraction. Malevich described the "Black Square" as the "zero of form" and saw it as a symbol of the new spiritual and metaphysical possibilities of art.
- Main differences between the two movements:
- Constructivism aimed to integrate art with technology and industry, emphasizing practicality, functionality, and social engagement. It was closely associated with the social and political ideals of the Russian Revolution. It aimed to contribute to the construction of a new society
- Suprematism, on the other hand, focused on the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of art, seeking to transcend the physical world and explore pure forms and colors. It was more focused on the individual artist's exploration of metaphysical and spiritual dimensions
- Political situation worldwide:
- Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914)
- World War I (1914-1918): The outbreak of World War I in 1914
- World War I and the Russian Front: In 1914, Russia entered World War I as part of the Allied Powers.
- Mexican Revolution (1910-1920): The Mexican Revolution was a major armed conflict that took place in Mexico, starting in 1910.
- Chinese Revolution of 1911: The Chinese Revolution of 1911, also known as the Xinhai Revolution, marked the end of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.
- Balkan Wars (1912-1913): The Balkan Wars were a series of conflicts that took place in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe
- Important innovations:
- The Assembly Line (1913): Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line for the mass production of an entire automobile in Highland Park, Michigan
- Neon Lighting (1910): Georges Claude, a French engineer, and inventor, developed the neon discharge tube for use in lighting.
- Stainless Steel (1913): English metallurgist Harry Brearley discovered stainless steel while experimenting with different types of steel for gun barrels.
- Other scientific events:
- Theory of General Relativity (1915): Albert Einstein presented his theory of general relativity in 1915, revolutionizing our understanding of gravity and spacetime.
- Sink of Titanic (1912)
- Other iconic artworks:
- Wassily Kandinsky - Composition VII (1913)
- Marcel Duchamp - Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 (1912)
- Kazimir Malevich - Black Square (1915)
- Giacomo Balla - Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash (1912)
- Franz Marc – Blue Horse I (1911)
6. Walter Gropius Founds Bauhaus (1919)
Gropius drafted the Bauhaus manifesto in 1919. Photo is by Louis Held, taken in 1919. Source: https://www.dezeen.com
- About the event:
- In 1919, German architect Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus, a groundbreaking art school in Weimar, Germany. The Bauhaus aimed to bridge the gap between art, craft, and industry, promoting a holistic approach to design and incorporating elements of fine arts, architecture, crafts, and technology. Gropius envisioned the Bauhaus as a place where artists and craftsmen could work together, breaking away from traditional academic hierarchies. The school's philosophy aimed to bring about social and cultural change through design. Artists: Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, László Moholy-Nagy, and Josef Albers. It offered a curriculum that combined theoretical studies, workshops, and practical training, with an emphasis on experimentation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus
- Political situation worldwide:
- World War I (1914-1918): World War I continued to be a major political event during this period.
- Russian Revolution (1917)
- Treaty of Versailles (1919): The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed on June 28, 1919, in France, marking the official end of World War I.
- Important innovations:
- Invention of the Tank (1915): During World War I, the British army introduced the first armored fighting vehicle known as the tank.
- Technicolor for Film (1916): Technicolor was an important innovation in the film industry that allowed movies to be made in color, rather than just black and white.
- Other scientific events:
- Spanish Flu Pandemic (1918-1919): The Spanish Flu pandemic, one of the deadliest pandemics in history, occurred between 1918 and 1919
- Other iconic artworks:
- Fountain - Marcel Duchamp (1917)
- The City - Fernand Léger (1919)
- Amedeo Modigliani - Women with Red Hair (1917)
7. Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray Create Rotary Glass Plates (1920)
- About the event:
- Rotary Glass Plates" (also known as "Rotoreliefs") was a collaborative project between Marcel Duchamp and American artist Man Ray. It consisted of a series of small glass discs with abstract designs painted on them. When spun on a phonograph turntable or a device called a "stroboscope," the rotating discs created optical illusions of movement and produced a dynamic visual experience. The collaboration between Duchamp and Man Ray on "Rotary Glass Plates" explored the intersection of art, motion, and technology. Man Ray set up equipment to photograph the initial experiment, but when they turned the machine for the second time, a drive belt broke and caught a piece of the glass, which after glancing off Man Ray's head, shattered into bits.
- Political situation worldwide:
- Formation of the League of Nations (1920): The League of Nations was founded in 1920 as an intergovernmental organization aimed at promoting international cooperation and preventing future conflicts.
- Irish War of Independence (1919-1921): The Irish War of Independence was a guerrilla war fought between Irish republican forces and British forces in Ireland
- Women's suffrage: In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.
- Prohibition in the United States (1920-1933): The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919 and enacted in 1920, banned the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the country.
- Important innovations:
- Commercial Radio Broadcasting: In 1920, the first commercial radio station, KDKA, began broadcasting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Sound-on-Film Technology (1919-20): Lee De Forest's Phonofilm system, Lee De Forest, inventor of the audion tube, filed his first patents on a sound-on-film process, DeForest Phonofilm, which recorded sound directly onto film as parallel lines.
- The Band-Aid: Earle Dickson, an employee of Johnson & Johnson, invented the band-aid for his wife who often cut herself while cooking.
- The Hair Dryer: In the early 1920s, the first hand-held hair dryers were introduced to the market.
- Other iconic artworks:
- Max Ernst - Murdering Airplane (1920)
- Piet Mondrian - Lozenge, 1921
8. Gunta Stölzl Named Director of Bauhaus Weaving Workshop (1927)
- About the event:
- Gunta Stölzl's appointment as the director of the weaving workshop at the Bauhaus in 1926. Under Stölzl's guidance, the weaving workshop at the Bauhaus underwent significant transformation. She emphasized the importance of experimentation, craftsmanship, and the integration of art and technology. She encouraged her students to experiment with color, texture, and materials, expanding the possibilities of weaving beyond its traditional confines. Stölzl and her team developed new weaving techniques and materials, incorporating synthetic fibers, metallic threads, and experimental textures. She recognized the potential of textiles in architectural and interior design, collaborating with architects to create integrated textile works for functional spaces. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunta_St%C3%B6lzl)
- Political situation worldwide:
- Irish Free State Established (1922): Following the Irish War of Independence, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in 1921, leading to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922
- Beer Hall Putsch (1923): The Beer Hall Putsch was an attempted coup in Germany led by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in November 1923
- Dawes Plan (1924): The Dawes Plan was an economic agreement reached in 1924 to address Germany's reparation payments following World War I. The plan aimed to restructure Germany's debt and provide financial assistance, helping stabilize the German economy and facilitating international economic cooperation.
- General Strike in Britain (1926): In May 1926, a general strike erupted in Britain, involving millions of workers from various industries.
- Important innovations:
- Television Broadcasting (1927): In 1927, Philo Farnsworth successfully demonstrated the first fully electronic television system.
- Antibiotics - Penicillin (1928)
- Television (1925-27)
- Other important events:
- The Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression (1929)
- The Rise of Fascism: During this period, fascism gained traction in several countries
- Other iconic artworks:
- René Magritte, The treachery of Images, 1929
- Giorgio de Chirico, The Two Masks, 1926
- Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red Yellow and Blue, 1927
9. Birth of digital computing: Konrad Zuse Completes the Z3 (1941) + ENIAC (1945)
- About the event:
- Z3:
- In 1941, Konrad Zuse, a German engineer, completed the construction of the Z3, which is widely considered to be the world's first fully functional, programmable, automatic digital computer. The Z3 was an electromechanical computer that used telephone relays to perform calculations. It featured a binary floating-point arithmetic system, which allowed for highly precise computations. The Z3 was completed in Berlin in 1941. It was not considered vital, so it was never put into everyday operation. The original Z3 was destroyed on 21 December 1943 during an Allied bombardment of Berlin. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z3_(computer))
- ENIAC
- ENIAC was the first programmable, electronic, general-purpose digital computer, completed in 1945. There were other computers that had combinations of these features, but the ENIAC had all of them in one computer. It was Turing-complete and able to solve "a large class of numerical problems" through reprogramming. Although ENIAC was designed and primarily used to calculate artillery firing tables for the United States Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory (which later became a part of the Army Research Laboratory, its first program was a study of the feasibility of the thermonuclear weapon. ENIAC was a colossal machine, occupying a large room and weighing about 30 tons. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENIAC )
- Political situation worldwide:
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)
- Formation of the United Nations (1945)
- Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
- Important innovations:
- Nuclear / Atomic Bomb (1945)
- Microwave technology (1945)
- The Jeep (1941)
- Other iconic artworks:
- Pablo Picasso, The Charnel House (1944-45)
- Edward Hopper, Nighthawks (1942)
- Jackson Pollock, Mural (1943)
10. Cybernetics Is Born: Norbert Wiener's Cybernetics + Claude Shannon’s "A Mathematical Theory of Communication.” (1948)
- About the event:
- Cybernetics:
- "Cybernetics" is a term coined by mathematician Norbert Wiener in his book "Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine" (1948). It introduced a new framework for thinking about how systems of all kinds (biological, mechanical, social, etc.) operate and interact. This was a groundbreaking work that influenced a wide range of disciplines, from computer science to biology, engineering, philosophy, and more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybernetics
- Theory of Communication:
- Claude Shannon's landmark paper "A Mathematical Theory of Communication" was published, which established the foundations of information theory. This paper fundamentally changed our understanding of communication processes and served as the foundation for the digital age. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_theory
- Political situation worldwide:
- Creation of the State of Israel (1948): The Jewish State of Israel was officially declared on May 14, 1948, by David Ben-Gurion
- Berlin Blockade and Airlift (1948-1949): The Soviet Union blocked railway, road, and water access to West Berlin, prompting the United States, United Kingdom, and other Western Allies to establish the Berlin Airlift to carry supplies to the people in West Berlin.
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948
- Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948): The leader of the Indian Nationalist movement, Mahatma Gandhi, was assassinated on January 30, 1948
- Election of President Truman (1948): Despite predictions of his defeat, U.S. President Harry S. Truman won re-election
- Important innovations:
- The Invention of the Transistor (1947): At Bell Labs, John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley invented the transistor, which revolutionized the electronics industry and paved the way for the development of almost all modern electronic devices.
- The Foundation of Information Theory (1948): Claude Shannon's landmark paper "A Mathematical Theory of Communication" was published. This paper established the foundations of information theory
- The Holography Concept (1947): Hungarian-British physicist Dennis Gabor developed the theory of holography while working to improve the resolution of an electron microscope.
- Other iconic artworks:
- Jackson Pollock, No. 5, (1948)
- Willem de Kooning, Woman I (1950-1952)
Check out Le Random Timeline for more historical milestones: https://timeline.lerandom.art/#/chapter-2
Rhea Myers iconic works feat. in the historical show 'Perfect and Priceless' by Kate Vass Galerie in 2018 become available as unique NFTs on Foundation
Rhea Myers iconic works feat. in the historical show 'Perfect and Priceless' by Kate Vass Galerie in 2018 become available as unique NFTs, as the artist drops his first works on Foundation App this week.
by Kate Vass, 12th October 2021
It became a history now, our the physical show { PERFECT & PRICELESS } - Value Systems on the blockchain that featured all the protagonists of this movement back in November 2018. Famous sealed Cryptopunks by LarvaLabs exhibited in phyisical form for the first time, collaborative work by Kevin Abosch and Ai Wei Wei, and one of the OGs Rhea Myers (former aka Rob Myers) with 'First Transaction (Bitcoin Transaction Hash)' has been on display among many other artworks in Kate Vass Galerie in Zurich.
Rhea Myers artworks at the ‘Perfect & Priceless’ exhibition @ Kate Vass Galerie, Zurich in 2018.
Print on display here: First Halvening (Bitcoin Block Hash), 8 Bit Palette, Spots, 2018.
On November 28th 2012 with block number 210000 Bitcoin underwent its first "halvening" with the reward paid for finding each new block in the blockchain dropping from fifty to twenty-five Bitcoins. Halvenings occur approximately every four years and have been both celebrated as a milestone in the development of the network protocol and commiserated as a loss of revenue to the miners that find new blocks. They have become notable dates in the Bitcoin calendar with almost a festival air about them.
Here the binary data of the cryptographic hash that is the "proof-of-work" for the halvening block is rendered in the visual language of (post)modernist abstraction rather than as the sequence of numbers that it was broadcast to the Internet as.
This art exhibition took place as an interdisciplinary experiment and laboratory for discussions about the digital transformation of the art market and artists' practices.
The blockchain art pioneer Rhea Myers from New York visualised cryptocurrency transactions in his continuing series Blockchain Aesthetics while referencing concept art from the 1970s. To transmit crypto from one wallet to another (peer to peer), a hash rate was generated and compressed through a mathematical encryption method. The hashrates are always the same length independently from the size of information they contain. The artist rendered Bitcoin transactions as rows of coloured squares or circles. Each byte of the 32-byte transaction had caused as a square or a process of a 256-colour palette. The transactions have been displayed on a monitor as colourful abstract moving images with a narrative context, accompanied by 4 unique prints. Although the imagery reminds us of 4096 Colours by Gerhard Richter or the spot paintings by Damien Hirst, they have a different connotation.
In 2021, with a fast spread of NFT-inclusion, it made sense that the physical work finds its digital analogue as an NFT to serve an excellent accompanying piece or as an individual work of art that reflects the historical essence and continues the series of Blockchain Aesthetics.
The reserve price is 10 ETH if bought separately from the print. We have a special bundle deal for NFT, 2021 +unique print, 2018 please contact us for more information via email: info@katevassgalerie.com
https://foundation.app/@rheaplex
https://foundation.app/@rheaplex/~/96682
https://foundation.app/@rheaplex/~/96680
https://foundation.app/@rheaplex/~/96678
https://foundation.app/@rheaplex/~/96671
Additionally, we offer to you to have a look at the past physical installations of 4 ever produced, signed works by the artist back in 2018. There is only one left on the primary market:
Rhea Myers
First Transaction (Bitcoin Transaction Hash), 8 Bit Palette, Spots, 2018.
The first transaction between two people on the Bitcoin network was sent from the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin Satoshi Nakamoto to the late Bitcoin developer Hal Finney on 12th January 2009. At the time the ten Bitcoin sent were worthless, now they would be worth tens of thousands of dollars. This transaction represents the beginnings of Bitcoin as a social and economic rather than just a technical phenomenon.
Here the cryptographic hash, the unique identifying number, that was used to represent the content of that transaction is presented in the language of (post)modernist abstraction rather than as a string of hexadecimal numbers.
Rhea Myers signature on the unique prints.
Rhea Myers
on the left:
First Halvening (Bitcoin Block Header), 8 Bit Palette, Squares, 2018.
On November 28th 2012 with block number 210000 Bitcoin underwent its first "halvening" with the reward paid for finding each new block in the blockchain dropping from fifty to twenty-five Bitcoins. Halvenings occur approximately every four years and have been both celebrated as a milestone in the development of the network protocol and commiserated as a loss of revenue to the miners that find new blocks. They have become notable dates in the Bitcoin calendar with almost a festival air about them.
Here the binary data of the data header containing the proof-of-work hash and other details for the halvening block is rendered in the visual language of (post)modernist abstraction rather than as the sequence of numbers that it was broadcast to the Internet as.
'THE GENERATIVE ART THAT WEARS THE COLORS OF THE SOUL'.
Exclusive interview by Kate Vass with generative artist - Manolo Gamboa Naon, aka - Manoloide.
‘Last flowers’, 2021 by Manoloide - unique Hahnemühle Photo Rag Fine Art Print, Image 2x2 meters, unframed
"Not everyone can do what a genius can," the famous art historian Ernst Gombrich spoke, "and not everyone can produce a masterpiece even after long training." I am not a big fan of Gombrich, but I should note that his quote fits best when I refer to the generative artist from Argentina– Manolo Gamboa Naon, aka Manoloide.
In his first and last interview, published in English in 2018, Artnome refers to his artworks as 'the result of the entire contents of twentieth-century art and design being put into a blender.' I could not agree more. Looking at Manolo's creations, I feel that he combines the contemporary genius of generative art with ancient primary forms of visuals and the power of colour.
I am thankful to get to know Manolo and work with him since 2018. Since that time, there have been many developments, and I felt the importance to reach out to interview him once again after three years and speak with him about his life, Processing, and artworks. In this interview, I wish to feature a selection of 53 images cataloguing the past three years of Manolo's practice, exported between 100 and 1000 variations and filtered by the artist as his top-notch.
1 ‘Field of Poppies’, 1907, Gustav Klimt I 2 ‘Cllm’, 2019, Manoloide I 3 Fragment from 'The Poppy Fields near ‘Argenteuil', 1873, by Claude Monet
The cultural scene initially rejected generative art for many years. Nevertheless, we know many non-computer related talents without whom we cannot imagine art history nowadays. Artists such as François Morellet, Hans Haack, Sol LeWitt or Ellsworth Kelly. The last was one of the forerunners of generative art; Kelly used to create paintings using random operations to assign colours to the grid and works on paper, which was then cut into strips or squares and assembled using random operations to determine the placement. Sol LeWitt created generative art in the form of systems expressed in natural language and geometric permutation systems. Many more predecessors of conceptual art led to the acceptance of generative art, therefore of computer art. That is probably linked to the increased accessibility of technology and its common use in everyday life in the last two decades. As generative art is commonly described as 'algorithmic art' (made using a predetermined system), it often has an element of Randomness. It is often accused of lacking the value of artwork by questioning its creator. I tend to disagree with this accusation. As Manolo's example shows, many have access to the open-source code and know Processing, but only he creates such masterpieces, diverse in composition and colour. Regardless of the tool that the artist uses, whether it's a digital paintbrush or code, only his genius has the power to move simple forms into a composition that none of us even have ever imagined.
Manolo was always interested in Randomness. By integrating chance into a piece of code art, one receives a unique artwork each time one runs the script. I remember his quote from the first interview: "when I come and create, the most beautiful parts of the work are born from the errors. After a certain point, I believe that the maturity of my style was formed by making small errors because I was discovering as I went along. From these errors, I take an idea, and it stays. I learn how to manipulate these errors. The error is central to the work of generative artists apart from, obviously, the rules. The rules become a text that converts into an image. It is impossible to have what you imagine become what you see. The beginning is errors, errors, errors, errors. They are beautiful errors."
The philosophy of generative art is so deep; to me, it replicates life itself. From our mistakes, we learn, and mistakes/errors make our lives more stimulating. From choices and decisions – we let the universe write its code. Technically, the whole civilization as we know it - is one giant artwork generated by the universe.
1. Mark Rothko, ‘Untitled (Multiform)’, 1948, oil on canvas. Copyright ARS, NY Kate & Christopher Rothko 2. ‘Inside’, 2019 by Manoloide
While preparing for this interview, I could not help but notice by looking through Manolo's works for the last three years - it unintentionally inflames the viewer to dig into his 'connaissance' of the history of art, each image is unique in colour, style, and composition may remind you of some famous paintings. I, e.g., see the resemblance of some masterpieces by Klimt, Monet, Rothko, Ad Reinhardt, Eyvind Earle's and many more great artists. The more you browse through Manolo's artworks, the more it captures your attention and challenges you to know the whole spectre of art genres, as you can find images so unlike in style: from Impressionists and Abstract to Kinetic and Illustrative Design. On the other hand, generative art always tends to draw inspiration from modern art, particularly pop art, where geometric patterns are standard. The basic Geometry, Algorithm, and Randomness are the three main components of the regular generative artist. Manolo's use of geometric shapes and patterns are worth noting. But, to me, the colours that he mixes in the extraordinary chaos – this is a true revolution! Manolo brings colour as the fourth element to generative art practice, which the majority usually ignore.
The richness of colours impresses and captures. In the work cllm, you see Manolo dilutes the contours and constructs a colourful rhythm with red and purple drops. Pure impressionism, and at the same time - a step to abstraction art. Looking at the other work tratab, 2019 - the constructivism of colour, exposure of architecture of simple geometric shapes combined in complex dance provokes you to feel a strong spiritual connection to science and art. Doesn't it? Imagine all his works in monochrome colours. Would you feel the same way looking at it? The power of colour is inevitable. Colour moves your reactions often on a deeply personal level. A particular colour can calm your nerves, agitate, motivate and empower you to take action, and carry healing energy when you look at it. As Wassily Kandinsky proclaimed, "Color provokes a psychic vibration. Colour hides a power still unknown but real, which acts on every part of the human body." Manolo proves this statement well with his colourful art.
‘Magical Forests’, Eyvind Earle, ‘Monta’, 2020 by Manoloide, ‘Sanctuary’, E.Earle
Another artwork that strikes my attention is Monta, 2019. Unlike many others, the choice of colour pallet inspired by famous illustrator Eyvind Earle stands along with many of Earle's famous works. The bizarre choice of some colours, taken to the extreme of their saturation, makes Manolo's landscapes in 'Monta' pleasant to the eye. It has been said that Leonardo da Vinci preferred to meditate in a lavender or purple-coloured light. Same colours that we see in Monta, I also find very meditative.
To conclude, Manolo’s style is simply unique, synthesis is the main balance of his technique.
Before starting the interview, I'd like to thank Sofia Crespo, another talented generative artist. She has helped with some translation from my far-from-perfect Spanish during our long zoom conversations with her and Manolo. I also want to thank Manolo for agreeing to publish this material. I hope you will enjoy the interview, and you will enjoy browsing through 53 works that have been selected in the gallery attached.
KV: The First and last interview in English was concluded by Artnome back in 2018, and since then we have had many changes. You have participated at various art exhibitions and moved to Germany and then again back to Argentina. Could you tell us more how these 3 years have been for you? The interesting turn was when you also took a sabbatical year from the art scene last year. What was the main reason and how do you feel about this?
MG: The last 3 years I've been living many different experiences and circumstances, although much of my life happened on a more mental level and on my computer. I went from living with one backpack to two and a suitcase, changed home more than 20 times, building new routines is something I enjoy. In 2019 I went to Germany to work in one of my favorite studios. I felt stimulated and supported, this allowed me to focus a lot on my work and life in Berlin flowed, with the months I started to understand some English, but I also enjoyed a lot living in silence. In 2020 I came back to Argentina for a few months with the idea of concentrating on my projects, then COVID happened and I felt a bit locked in myself, over stimulated by the internet. I stopped being on the computer all day, I didn't code for several months, I closed my social networks, turned off my cell phone, and suddenly I was full of emptiness which I was filling with new routines playing outside the screens; I enjoyed reading, going back to study more freely as I did before, playing the piano, drawing and doing physical activity. It was a necessary process to get out of a depression, reconnect with my body, take distance from my work and what was happening.
KV: We share here around 53 images that you have selected as 'best works 'for the last 3 years, and we see some changes in the compositions and some or the images seem like a dreamland. What do you feel code gives you?
MG: At the beginning of this year I started to catalogue and order my work, I had never taken a moment to analyze the projects I had worked on. I made a selection of the 53 series that most attracted me visually, exported between 100 and 1000 variations and filtered them until I was left with one per series. I use the code as a tool, but also as a language where I can represent very diverse ideas: sometimes I am only interested in solving a geometry problem, exploring how colours blend, give the sensation of a material, a pattern on the floor, how to represent a tree.. the most beautiful thing is when the idea is close to a feeling.
KV: Many of your works, particularly from 2018 contain circles. By looking at the Mantel or ppraparr , one can dive into the image and circle around with the imagination, surrounded by powerful colour palettes that strike me. Does it happen intuitively, that you have been creating circles, and more circles around, can I compare it with a meditative process of 'monks' meditation?
1. ‘pparappar’, 2019 2. ‘Mantel Blue 2’, fine art print 2018
MG: In 2018 I was really in love with my work and my process, I spent almost all day focused on that, a constant exploration. I feel that those deep connections are very similar to meditation; after a lot of time of routine and exercise, you can stop thinking, the ideas flow and you don't pause to question or analyze them. Mantel is an automatic piece, I had no thoughts when I made it. I love circles, many of the series are just circles, they can really represent very different ideas, the most magical thing is when they are camouflaged.
KV: What is about writing or mixing the code that fascinates you the most? It's known fact that the Processing is not new per se, and that this code is open for public, nevertheless your work is so strong and easily recognisable among millions of other artists using same processing technique. Do you sketch the ideas or what is your approach when you create the work? Do you imagine the image before you start or do you write the natural code (Pseudocode) ?
MG: I think the code gives me precise boundaries, I can only write and see what happens. Then you imagine, write, observe, this is constantly repeated. I prefer to have a fuzzy idea or a trigger, the ideas in my mind are pretty, but when I have a very specific or complex one, I tend to get disappointed in the process. I can just write and see what happens, in general I draw some random dots, a big spot and try to control it, or I draw the figures shape by shape. I start from something simple, see what happens and add another idea. After several iterations I usually come up with images of the dialogue with the process that evokes something in me.
KV: When we look at the landscape image monta, 2020 or arbolito2, 2020 or : I wonder which forest/field or place served as inspiration to you?
‘arbolito’, 2020 by Manoloide
MG: I never lived in the forest or near the mountains - it is something that at some point I would like to experience, but I grew up surrounded by trees and plants, "arbolito2" reminds me of the trees I grew up with in my mother's house. "Monta" is an image that was in my head for several years, as much of my work is a set of references, the structure is a copy of Eyvind Earle's work, an artist who involves me in his moods. But above all, my mental image is of the forests of Japan, a place I've never been to, but it is very close to how I imagine it. Something similar happens with "cllmt", for a long time I wanted to depict Gustav Klimt's flower landscapes, the feelings are not the same as what I want, but they are close to it. I don't usually take vacations or visit places, so my references are usually images made by others (photographs, paintings, books). Trees/plants/flowers, on the other hand, are usually my strongest connection to nature, I take walks, I really enjoy seeing and contemplating them, they are beautiful systems, totally exposed.
KV: Recently you have participated at Feral File exhibition, how did you like the experience and what did you find challenging?
Feral File project (screen shot)
MG: I felt a great motivation to participate in Feral File with artists that I have lived with on the internet for many years. To me, Casey Reas built a place (Processing) and I really enjoy his work, he is a sensitive and fine artist. It was a difficult process to get back to coding after months, I'm usually very self demanding, I'm never satisfied and even less when I know it's going to be exhibited; it was difficult, I spent many weeks working on "uneasy dream", fighting with my head, trying to find something.. it's the published project I worked on the longest, I started to live at night, I stopped sleeping. I like to play with my mind, but it wasn't a good way, I was angry with myself, I think some of those things are visible, so now I'm happy with it.
KV: As far as I know you also play piano and write/read poetry and draw by hand. Which process do you enjoy the most and do you get inspired by practicing piano ,for example, to create a work with Processing?
MG: I always like to study and do multiple things, they may not have an evident connection but I feel that all the things I learn end up merging in my mind. Something happens with Processing, it's the only tool with which I managed to move myself or feel something interesting enough. I spent many hours making music, drawing, playing with software, but I never found such an intense way of satisfaction. But keeping several different projects and processes and jumping from one to another always helped me to stay active.
KV: How would do you feel about NFTs and its trend?
MG: It is difficult for me to have a clear idea, many contradictions arise as with cryptocurrencies, they're the things in which I am immersed but I really do not understand nor they interest me. I wish I could not believe in contracts, nor the idea of property, nor money, nor individual development, I say, it is something that touches too many models that exceed me. I was happy for many friends and artists, the visibility of digital art, I feel that there are many more people exploring this. I'm not usually interested in what happens when something is trending but I'm curious to see how it evolves in the coming years.
KV: What is your biggest challenge and what is the work of your dreams that you still wish to create?
MG: I usually live in dreams that vary constantly so my ideas change, but it is an adaptation to the context. I would like to eliminate the words, the ideas. Fall in love with a language again and explore it freely in my mind. Learn to enjoy slow processes without expecting so much for results.
KV: I would like to thank once again, Manolo and share his Instagram account, so you can check out his remarkable works: https://www.instagram.com/3.42010163/
If you have any questions request, please contact us via our email: info@katevassgalerie.com. If you have not already, I encourage you sign up for our blog and twitter: @katevassgalerie @keyvass
Selection of works from 2018:
Selection of works from 2019:
Selection of works from 2020:
We do not accept any further enquiries for minting NFTs of the works feat. In the current interview, please register your interest via email: info@katevassgalerie.com if you are interested in Manolo’s work & we place you on a waiting list:) and will notify you once we have some new works available. thank you !
Personal Effects (2018) canvas sac, artist's blood,ink
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