Manchester’s Computer Art Pioneer
Tuesday 24th Sept 2024, Manchester Metropolitan University
During the 1960s Desmond Henry gained recognition for the abstract, curvilinear images produced by a series of three electromechanical drawing machines he created by adapting analogue bombsight computers, originally used in WW2 bombers to direct bombs onto their target. The remains of his second drawing machine are currently with the London Science Museum. In 2011, the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry hosted a solo retrospective of Henry’s machine-generated artwork. His work forms part of major collections, including the V&A Museum in London.
About the speaker
Elaine O’Hanrahan is the daughter of Desmond Henry and curator of the D. P. Henry Archive.
Nancy Burson at the show, “Digital Witness” in LACMA
Nov 24, 2024–Jul 13, 2025, LACMA, LA
Over the last four decades, image-editing software has radically transformed our visual world. The ease with which images and text can be digitally generated and altered has enabled new forms of creative experimentation, while also sparking philosophical debates about the very nature of representation. Digital Witness: Revolutions in Design, Photography, and Film examines the impact of digital manipulation tools from the 1980s to the present, for the first time assessing simultaneous developments and debates in the fields of photography, graphic design, and visual effects. Featuring over 100 works, the exhibition traces the emergence of distinctive digital aesthetic strategies, relationships to realism, and storytelling modes. Whether using early paint programs, commercially packaged and open-source software, individually programmed tools, or AI image generators, the artists in Digital Witness illuminate the visual culture we now inhabit, in which “Photoshop” is not only a product but also a verb.
“Boundaries” by Memo Akten at Venice Biennale 2024
Apr. 20 – 24 Nov, 2024, Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione, Venice
“Boundaries” explores the connections between self and universe, blurring the lines between human and non-human, biological and cosmic. Akten invites us to reflect on the imaginary boundaries between self, mind, and the universe, celebrating the deep interconnection of all life.
“Boundaries” (2024) by Memo Akten is currently on view at Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione, in Venice, as part of Venice Biennale 2024.
Exhibition “In Search of Vera Molnar”
September 19, 2024 - January 26, 2025, Pera Museum, Istanbul
In Search of Vera Molnár (À La Recherche de Vera Molnár) offers a close look at the practice of Vera Molnár, one of the pioneers of computer art, and brings together works by contemporary artists inspired by her work. At Josef Broich’s initiative, in collaboration with Stiftung für Kunst und Kultur e.V. and the Broich Digital Art Foundation, the exhibition brings together the contemporary works of 16 artists inspired by Vera Molnár. Working in video or augmented reality using algorithms, the artists have created works that pay homage to the practice of Molnár, who died last year at the age of 99, by using her working methods or referencing her visual world.
Screening “You're Very Special” by u2p050
August 22, 2024, MUTEK Festival Montreal
After a world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, u2p050 screened its new AI documentary on the attack on the capitol, whose entire archive of testimonies, images, videos and sounds were produced using our research AI systems.
Espen Kluge’s work at Dalbin
Our artist, Espen Kluge, is featured in the curated section of Dalbin. Founded in Paris in 2003 and established in California in 2024, Dalbin blends art, music, technology, and design. They frequently collaborate with artists, musicians, engineers, designers, craftsmen, manufacturers, curators, and advisors.
Espen is represented with his video work, Me and You Are Now Intimately Connected (2022).
Panel talk with Julien Gachadoat at The Centre Pompidou
June 14th, 2024, Centre Pompidou, Paris
The Centre Pompidou and the National Institute of Art History are organizing a study day dedicated to Vera Molnár (born in 1924 in Budapest and based in Paris since 1947), a pioneer of digital art who passed away on December 7, 2023, at the age of 99. Speakers include Julien Gachadoat and aurèce vettier.
Location: The Centre Pompidou
Date: 14th of June, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Topic: Vera Molnár's Latest Collaborations
Speakers: Paul Mouginot (aurèce vettier), Julien Gachadoat
Moderator: Vincent Baby.