Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952-1982

The rise of computer technology, together with its emergence in popular consciousness, impacted the making of art in the age of the mainframe. Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952–1982 explores the origins of what we now call digital art, featuring artists, writers, musicians, choreographers, and filmmakers working directly with computers or using algorithms and other systems to produce their work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

At the dawn of computer technology, artists, writers, musicians, choreographers, and filmmakers delved into the realm of data, digitization, and algorithms, igniting a transformative era in the art world. Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952–1982, serves as a comprehensive exploration of this era, shedding light on how the rise of computer technology, coupled with its widespread recognition, profoundly influenced the creation of art during the era of the mainframe. With an international and interdisciplinary approach, Coded delves into the origins of what we now recognize as digital art, showcasing the pioneering efforts of artists, writers, musicians, choreographers, and filmmakers who embraced computers as their creative tools and those who employed algorithms and other systems to generate their work.

Whether computer-generated or not, the diverse artworks showcased in Coded capture the essence of the 1960s and 70s, characterized by a simultaneous sense of wonder and alienation. These artworks also reflect the utopian and dystopian possibilities that emerged with the introduction of these new machines. Today, as digital technology has seamlessly integrated into our lives, Coded's examination of the years preceding the advent of the personal computer assumes an even greater significance. It serves as a crucial lens through which we can fully appreciate art and culture in the age of the computer, both in the past and in the present.

The artists featured in Coded are a testament to the diversity and creativity that flourished during this era. Rebecca Allen, Siah Armajani, Richard Baily, Colette Stuebe Bangert, Charles Jeffries Bangert, Jennifer Bartlett, Jonathan Borofsky, Stanley Brouwn, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Thomas Chimes, Harold Cohen, Computer Technique Group, Analivia Cordeiro, Waldemar Cordeiro, Charles Csuri, Agnes Denes, Herman de vries, Juan Downey, Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Charles Gaines, Brion Gysin, Hans Haacke, Frederick Hammersley, Leon D. Harmon, June Harwood, Jean-Pierre Hébert, Desmond Paul Henry, Channa Horwitz, Hervé Huitric, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Donald Judd, Hiroshi Kawano, Edward Kienholz, Alison Knowles, Kenneth C. Knowlton, Beryl Korot, Gerald Laing, Ben F. Laposky, Sol LeWitt, Jackson Mac. Each artist brings their unique perspective and artistic approach to the computer, resulting in a rich tapestry of works that reflect the technological advancements and cultural shifts of the time.

Coded offers a profound insight into the symbiotic relationship between art and technology during the early stages of computerization. It highlights the transformative power of computers and algorithms as tools for artistic expression and the endless possibilities they opened up for artists. By examining the works of these pioneers, Coded invites us to reflect on the impact of computer technology on the art world and its enduring influence on contemporary art practices.

In conclusion, Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952–1982, is a groundbreaking exploration of the intersection of art and technology in the era of the mainframe. Through its comprehensive examination of the works of artists, writers, musicians, choreographers, and filmmakers, Coded provides a valuable perspective on the transformative power of computer technology on the art world. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a technology enthusiast, or simply someone interested in the evolution of creativity, this exhibition is a must-see for anyone seeking to understand the rich tapestry of art and culture in the age of the computer.

Weight: 1724g
Dimension: 249 x 307 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810805