Request to view

This object can be requested via email from the Prints & Drawings Study Room

P-21 (band structure)

Print
1970 (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-21' refers to the name of the program.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleP-21 (band structure) (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Photogravure on paper
Brief description
Photogravure from a plotter drawing, 'P-21 (band structure)', 1970, by Manfred Mohr.
Physical description
Black and white photogravure on paper, from a plotter drawing. Mounted on board.
Dimensions
  • Height: 52.9cm
  • Width: 53.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • PROG. 21 IRA = 23 (In pencil, in lower left side. May be IR1?)
  • MOHR 70 (Artist's signature and date, in pencil, in lower right side.)
  • 23 (Black sticker with the number 23 on. Attached to lower right side. Possibly an exhibition reference number.)
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-21' refers to the name of the program.
Bibliographic reference
Herzogenrath, Wulf and Nierhoff-Wielk, Barbara, eds. Ex-Machina - Frühe Computergrafik bis 1979. Munich: Deutscher Kunstverlag, 2007. ISBN 978-3-422-06689-2. p. 419, ill.
Other number
CAS/A/0184 - Previous owner's number
Collection
Accession number
E.105-2008

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

Record createdMarch 12, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest