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P-133 (cluster phobia)

Print
1972 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This photogravure, by Manfred Mohr (born 1938, Germany) is from a plotter drawing produced using a computer program written by the artist. A plotter is a mechanical device that holds a pen or brush and is linked to a computer that controls its movements. Pen plotter drawings can be very time consuming to produce. The artist transferred the image from the plotter drawing into a photogravure as this allowed him to produce multiple copies of the image, and was much quicker and more economical.

The artist created the photogravure by copying an image of the original plotter drawing onto unexposed film, which, through a photochemical process, created a 1:1 negative. This negative was then copied onto light sensitive paper by feeding it into a special copy machine.

The computer program was based on a series of decision making processes that were used to structure the image. The artist deliberately wrote random variables into the process to allow the computer to make certain choices from a given number of options. Mohr would not be able to fully predict the appearance of an image until the plotter finished drawing. 'P-133' refers to the name of the program.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleP-133 (cluster phobia) (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Photogravure on paper
Brief description
Black and white photogravure on paper, 'P-133 (cluster phobia)', 1972, by Manfred Mohr.
Physical description
Black and white photogravure on paper, from a plotter drawing. Mounted on board.
Dimensions
  • Height: 60.1cm
  • Width: 59.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
'MOHR 72' (Artist's signature and date, in pencil, in lower left side.)
Credit line
Given by the Computer Arts Society, supported by System Simulation Ltd, London
Summary
This photogravure, by Manfred Mohr (born 1938, Germany) is from a plotter drawing produced using a computer program written by the artist. A plotter is a mechanical device that holds a pen or brush and is linked to a computer that controls its movements. Pen plotter drawings can be very time consuming to produce. The artist transferred the image from the plotter drawing into a photogravure as this allowed him to produce multiple copies of the image, and was much quicker and more economical.

The artist created the photogravure by copying an image of the original plotter drawing onto unexposed film, which, through a photochemical process, created a 1:1 negative. This negative was then copied onto light sensitive paper by feeding it into a special copy machine.

The computer program was based on a series of decision making processes that were used to structure the image. The artist deliberately wrote random variables into the process to allow the computer to make certain choices from a given number of options. Mohr would not be able to fully predict the appearance of an image until the plotter finished drawing. 'P-133' refers to the name of the program.
Other number
CAS/A/0185 - Previous owner's number
Collection
Accession number
E.80-2008

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Record createdMarch 11, 2009
Record URL
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