Review of the Barbican’s new AI: More than Human show for SI

teamLab’s immersive, interactive digital artworkWhat a Loving and Beautiful World

Very soon, artificial intelligence (AI) will probably be present in all aspects of our lives. The Barbican’s new exhibition (till 26 August) attempts to address the question where do we end and where does it begin? Read my review just published in Studio International.

A Machine that Makes Art – lecture at the American International University, London

If you are in the vicinity of Richmond upon Thames, West London this October, why not come to my lecture with the Richmond Art Society at the American International University on 31 October 2018.  A Machine that Makes Art: from early computer drawing to the art of the iPad – the inspiration for this talk comes from the great conceptual artist Sol LeWitt’s statement, The idea becomes a machine that makes the ar (1967).

Harold Cohen in his studio with his plotter, c. 1980s

Although LeWitt’s machine was metaphorical rather than literal, nevertheless this radical concept raised questions about art process and creative behaviour and challenged the notion of what art was or could be.

Start time 8pm. Open to non-members: £5.00

Review of CHANCE & CONTROL at the V&A

Installation view of Chance and Control at the V&A, showing early and mid-period drawings by Harold Cohen

Read my review in Studio International of the new display of computer art at the Victoria & Albert Museum London – Chance and Control: Art in the age of Computers and learn of the remarkable diversity of the V&A’s collection and how it has grown from early beginnings in just ten years.  Among many things of interest here are three fabulous works by Harold Cohen from his early, mid and later period.  Exhibition on now until 18 November 2018.

CONNECTION : OPEN 2018 up and running

The Wells Maltings, Wells-next-the-Sea

The Open I have curated for Wells Maltings, in North Norfolk is now up and running.  CONNECTION is the inaugural exhibition in the Handa Gallery and celebrates the quality and diversity of art in East Anglia today.

The Selection Team: Veronica Sekules, Tracey Ross, Catherine Mason

A call to artists with connections to East Anglia was made in October 2017, via an anonymous entry process.  We were thrilled by the enthusiastic response, indicative of the large amount of talent in this region.  A wide variety of styles, materials, methods and subject matter was immediately apparent as was the high standard of works submitted.  From over 900 entries around 250 two-dimensional works of art were selected.  The idea was based on a true Open, taking inspiration from the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, giving visitors an opportunity to view and purchase work by artists at every level of their career, from emerging talent to established figures.  Come and see!  Open every day from 10 to 6, until 30 September. Free entry.

More pictures here.

Elizabeth Monahan, Blue, 2017  First Prize Winner

From Mind to Machine: computer drawing in art history

The computer, like any tool or machine, extends human capabilities.  But it is unique in that it extends the power of the mind as well as the hand.   Robert Mallary, 1976

Read my essay From Mind to Machine, computer drawing in art history, just published in the catalogue to coincide with the Writing New Codes exhibition at the Mayor Gallery, Cork Street. 

Robert Mallary, QUAD III, laminated plywood, 1969 courtesy the Mayor Gallery

I was inspired by the above quote from American pioneer of computer arts, Robert Mallary (1917-1997), whose work will be on view in the show from 6 June, along with drawings by Vera Molnar and Waldemar Cordeiro.  The fully illustrated catalogue can be purchased from the Gallery. 

See also this review by Colin Gleadell in the Daily Telegraph.

 

Remembering Cybernetic Serendipity

Fifty years on from Cybernetic Serendipity, the 1968 exhibition of computer art, Studio International remembers the impact and legacy of this seminal show.  Read my article which looks at the history of the exhibition and how it has shaped digital art in the years since.

AND Congratulations to Paul Brown for his show Process, Chance, and Serendipity: Art That Makes Itself at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C. on now until 15 July 2018.  Read a review in the New Scientist.

 

Roger Law show at the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich

Don’t miss the wonderful Roger Law exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (running until 3 April).  A chance to see not only the famous Spitting Image puppets (and a new Trump puppet!), but also his ceramics – beautifully delineated with intricate imagery.

Roger Law Fish and Seahorses II Charger, 2016 hand-carved porcelain with celadon glaze, assisted by Mr Wu Son Ming

 

 

What an amazing draughtsman is Law, see his sketchbook drawings in pen, ink & watercolour, on public view for the first time here.

Call to Artists – CONNECTION : OPEN 2018

CONNECTION : OPEN 2018  – Celebrating the best East Anglian art to launch Wells Maltings Art Space

The exciting launch exhibition at the new Wells Maltings art space, opening Spring 2018 will bring together the best artists with an affinity to the East Anglian Region within the landmark Maltings buildings on Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk.  Open to all artists who have connections with East Anglia (2-dimensional work only please), submit your work here – deadline mid-March next year.  Show opens late April 2018 and will run throughout the summer.  Don’t miss being a part of this new venture.  With thanks to my fellow selectors – artist Tracey Ross, Veronica Sekules of the Groundwork Gallery Kings Lynn and Simon Daykin General Manager of the Maltings.