Theory: Early Computer Age

Algorists

Jean-Pierre Hébert, Roman Verostko, Mark Wilson, Manfred Mohr, Frieder Nake, Hiroshi Kawano, Herbert Franke, Vera Molnar, Charles Csuri, Harold Cohen, George Nees, Edward Zajec,…

The Algorists where a loose group with a similar artistic endeavour. Besides their groundbreaking artistic output they also elevated the theoretical discourse. In 1995 Jean-Pierre Hébert presented his definition of the term in the form of a computer code. It is based on the invention of an algorithm to produce an artwork:

Accepting that creative work is an algorithm which represents a human behavior in a given situation, it is natural to ask: How is such an algorithm built up, and which precise mathematical laws could be extracted for later use in different circumstances?

If one is now curious enough to look for his/her own aesthetical parameters, he/she is ready to engage in an interesting line of research. These considerations led me to use the computer as a Partner in my work.
Manfred Mohr, Statement (1971)

The computer as a co-creator

This notion of the computer as a co-creator is very apparent in Harold Cohen's Aaron.

Human+Machine Parntership!