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Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Random Polygons

Photograph
1965 (made)
Artist/Maker
Nake (artist)
Place of origin
Bremen (made)

This photography of the original plotter drawing shows a bundle of overlapping polygons. Inscription below and overleaf.

Object details

Categories
Computer Art
Drawings
Photographs
Object type
Photograph
TitleRandom Polygons (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Photograph of an original plotter drawing
Photographic Paper
Photography
Plotter Drawing
Brief description
Photograph of a plotter drawing, 'Random Polygons', by Frieder Nake, 1964.
Physical description
This photography of the original plotter drawing shows a bundle of overlapping polygons. Inscription below and overleaf.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21cm
  • Width: 15.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'NAKE/ER56/Z64' (Inscription on photograph in left bottom corner.)
  • 'Frieder Nake, Bremen, F. R. G. / Random Polygons / here: photographed from the original plotter drawing / 1' (Inscribed with blue ballpen (slightly faded) on back of print)
Gallery label
(14/08/2023-15/09/2024)
Patric Prince: Digital Art Visionary

Frieder Nake (b. 1938)
Random Polygons
1965
Photograph of a plotter drawing

Interested in the creative potential of machines, Frieder Nake and Vera Molnar used a computer algorithm to combine rules and chance to make these works. They are early examples of algorithmic art.

These images were made using a plotter drawing machine programmed to move a pen across paper. Code was fed directly into the machine and with no interface or screen to see what one was doing, outcomes were often unpredictable.

Prince knew both Molnar and Nake and corresponded with both artists about their work.

Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity
of Patric D. Prince
Museum no. E.1031-2008, and E.999-2008
Credit line
Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patric Prince
Subject depicted
Polygons
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.1031-2008

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Record createdJune 8, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O239558/random-polygons-photograph-nake/
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