Running Cola is Africa
Lithograph
1967 - 1968 (made)
1967 - 1968 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is one of a set of seven lithographs by different artists, published by Motif Editions in connection with Cybernetic Serendipity, a major exhibition held at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1968. The portfolio includes two works by the Computer Technique Group, plus single works by Charles Csuri and James Shaffer, William Fetter, Maughan S. Mason, Donald K. Robbins, and Kerry Strand. The complete set was acquired by the Museum in 1969, at a cost of £5.
The original plotter drawing for Running Cola is Africa was created by members of the Computer Technique Group in late 1967 or early 1968, at the IBM Scientific Data Centre in Tokyo. The book published to coincide with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition includes the following information about the artwork:
"A computer algorithm converts a running man into a bottle of cola, which in turn is converted into the map of Africa.
Idea by Masao Komura, data by Makato Otake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76)
Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura.
The original plotter drawing for Running Cola is Africa was created by members of the Computer Technique Group in late 1967 or early 1968, at the IBM Scientific Data Centre in Tokyo. The book published to coincide with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition includes the following information about the artwork:
"A computer algorithm converts a running man into a bottle of cola, which in turn is converted into the map of Africa.
Idea by Masao Komura, data by Makato Otake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76)
Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Running Cola is Africa (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Lithograph after a computer-generated plotter drawing |
| Brief description | Lithograph after a computer-generated drawing, entitled 'Running Cola is Africa', by the Computer Technique Group, 1967/68. From the Cybernetic Serendipity collector's set. |
| Physical description | The outline of a running man morphs into the shape of a coca cola bottle before transforming into the shape of the African continent |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Limited edition |
| Gallery label | In 1968, London‘s Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) held a major exhibition of electronic, cybernetic and computer art. Work by the Computer Technique Group from Japan was shown there. In this computer generated drawing a running man morphs into a Coke bottle and then a map of Africa.
Computer Technique Group
(Masao Komura, Makoto Otake and Koji Fujino), Tokyo
Published by Motif Edition, London
Lithograph
Museum no. Circ.770-1969 |
| Credit line | Acquired from Motif Editions in 1970. |
| Object history | Cybernetic Serendipity (Institute of Contemporary Arts 01/01/1968-31/12/1968) |
| Summary | This is one of a set of seven lithographs by different artists, published by Motif Editions in connection with Cybernetic Serendipity, a major exhibition held at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1968. The portfolio includes two works by the Computer Technique Group, plus single works by Charles Csuri and James Shaffer, William Fetter, Maughan S. Mason, Donald K. Robbins, and Kerry Strand. The complete set was acquired by the Museum in 1969, at a cost of £5. The original plotter drawing for Running Cola is Africa was created by members of the Computer Technique Group in late 1967 or early 1968, at the IBM Scientific Data Centre in Tokyo. The book published to coincide with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition includes the following information about the artwork: "A computer algorithm converts a running man into a bottle of cola, which in turn is converted into the map of Africa. Idea by Masao Komura, data by Makato Otake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76) Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura. |
| Bibliographic reference | Taken from Departmental Circulation Register 1969 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.770-1969 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 30, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
