Random War
Print
1967 (made), 1968 (printed)
1967 (made), 1968 (printed)
On display at V&A South Kensington
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C| 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.
Csuri's image of iconic American toy soldiers is based on a larger artwork that also included a computer-generated list of soldiers' names. At random, the program decided who would be killed, wounded, missing or commended in battle. The original work was produced in 1967, when anti-Vietnam war sentiment was at its height.
This copy of Random War was donated to the Museum by the Computer Arts Society. Some of the society's founding members had been involved in the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition.
Csuri's image of iconic American toy soldiers is based on a larger artwork that also included a computer-generated list of soldiers' names. At random, the program decided who would be killed, wounded, missing or commended in battle. The original work was produced in 1967, when anti-Vietnam war sentiment was at its height.
This copy of Random War was donated to the Museum by the Computer Arts Society. Some of the society's founding members had been involved in the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition.
object details
| Categories | |
| Object Type | |
| Materials and Techniques | Lithograph mounted on board |
| Brief Description | Lithograph, 'Random War', 1967, by Charles Csuri and James Shaffer. |
| Physical Description | Lithograph in black and red ink on paper, mounted on board. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and Inscriptions | 'Random War 1967' by C. Csuri and J. Shaffer (Ohio State University). Computer Graphic from I.C.A. Exhibition Cybernetic Serendipity. Published by Motif Editions ©, 58 Frith Street, London W1.' (Text in lower left side.) |
| Credit line | Given by the Computer Arts Society, supported by System Simulation Ltd, London |
| Subject depicted | |
| 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. Csuri's image of iconic American toy soldiers is based on a larger artwork that also included a computer-generated list of soldiers' names. At random, the program decided who would be killed, wounded, missing or commended in battle. The original work was produced in 1967, when anti-Vietnam war sentiment was at its height. This copy of Random War was donated to the Museum by the Computer Arts Society. Some of the society's founding members had been involved in the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition. |
| Other Number | CAS/A/0011 - Previous owner's number |
| Collection | |
| Accession Number | E.124-2008 |
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| record created | April 15, 2008 |
| Record URL |