The History of Computer Art - Anders Norås - NDC Oslo 2024

Early computer art emerged from Bell Laboratories in the 1950s-60s with pioneers like Michael Noll experimenting with algorithmic patterns and mathematical visualizations

Artists like Vera Molnar and Frieder Nake bridged traditional art with computer programming, often reinterpreting classical works (like Paul Klee’s) through algorithmic approaches

Harold Cohen’s “Aaron” project (1970s-80s) was one of the first AI art systems, evolving from simple line drawings to complex colored paintings over decades

Early computer artists often had to work with extremely expensive hardware ($3M+ computers) and developed their own programming languages and tools for artistic expression

The transition from Web 1.0 to corporate platforms marked a shift from amateur creative expression to more controlled commercial spaces online

AI art has evolved from simple pattern generation to complex systems using GANs and large training datasets, raising questions about bias and representation

Artists increasingly use technology to comment on societal issues - from gun violence (Joseph Delapay’s GTA modification) to data bias (Jake Evers’ queer dataset)

NFTs and blockchain art (like Boring Ape Yacht Club) echo earlier mass-production art movements like Warhol’s pop art

Source code itself became an artistic medium, with works like CLOBE and biennl.py demonstrating creative approaches to self-modifying and self-replicating code

The human element remains crucial in computer/AI art - tools should enhance rather than replace creative expression