Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case 3H, Shelf 26

Random War

Print
1967 (made), 1968 (printed)
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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRandom War (assigned by artist)
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
  • Height: 49.7cm
  • Width: 71.6cm
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 createdApril 15, 2008
Record URL
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