What Is the History of Computer Art?

Art|Art History

Computer art has a long and complex history. Computer art first emerged in the early 1950s, when computers were beginning to be used for more than just scientific and military applications. Artists began experimenting with the technology of the time, creating some of the earliest examples of digital art.

The earliest known computer-generated artwork is a painting titled “Study for Man and Machine” created by British artist Desmond Paul Henry in 1957. The work was created using an electronic analog computer which was programmed to draw shapes and lines based on certain parameters.

In the 1960s, a group of artists called the “Experimental Computation Group” or EXCOMP began experimenting with computer art in earnest. They developed a software system called Logo which allowed them to create images with computers. They also developed one of the first computer animation systems called “Animac” which allowed them to create moving images from still photographs.

In 1968, American artist Harold Cohen became one of the first artists to use a computer as his primary art medium when he created a series of abstract paintings titled “AARON” using an IBM 1130 mainframe computer. This work was considered revolutionary at the time and marked a major turning point in the development of computer art.

In 1972, two French brothers named Pierre-François and Jean-Louis Le Moigne developed an early version of Adobe Photoshop which allowed users to manipulate existing digital images as well as create their own from scratch. This software revolutionized digital image creation and remains one of the most widely used programs for creating digital artwork today.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, computer art continued to evolve as more advanced technology became available for artists to use in their work. In 1989, Adobe Illustrator was released which allowed users to create vector graphics with ease, while other programs such as Macromedia Flash were developed that enabled users to create animation sequences with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Today, computer art is widely used by both professional and amateur artists alike who are exploring new ways to express themselves through digital media. With ever-evolving technology comes ever more creative opportunities for artists who want to push boundaries with their artwork using computers as their primary medium.

Conclusion:

What Is the History of Computer Art? Computer art has been around since at least 1957 when Desmond Paul Henry created his painting entitled “Study for Man and Machine” using an electronic analog computer. In subsequent decades, several key developments have made it possible for us to explore this medium further – from Harold Cohen’s AARON series in 1968 through Adobe Illustrator in 1989 up until modern day where many different software options are available for artists wanting to explore this exciting area.