Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case MB2E, Shelf DR84

Drawing

1985 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Harold Cohen (b. 1928) is a pioneer of computer art. He studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Arts in London. In 1968 he moved to the USA. From 1973-1975 he worked at the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University, where he developed the computer program AARON, which became his creative authority from then on. Besides instructions on form and colour the program also takes into account what AARON has previously drawn, thus making it highly complex. Over the years AARON was further developed by the artist ('taught by the artist'), making it more and more a complex system. AARON can be seen as the first robot in human history to create art, the world's first pure A.I. (artificial intelligence) artist. The machine for example even selects and mixes colours and washes out the brushes. AARON cannot learn new techniques or imagery on its own - this must be hand-coded by Harold Cohen - but it is capable of producing a practically infinite output of distinct images in its own style.



Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Plotter drawing from a computer-generated image on paper
Brief description
Plotter drawing of computer-generated image on paper, by Harold Cohen, Solana Beach, CA, 1985
Physical description
This plotter drawing from a computer-generated image shows outline drawings of undefinable and un-figurative forms. Signed and dated at bottom right.
Dimensions
  • Length: 76.5cm
  • Width: 56.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Harold Cohen 1985.'
Credit line
Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patric Prince
Summary
Harold Cohen (b. 1928) is a pioneer of computer art. He studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Arts in London. In 1968 he moved to the USA. From 1973-1975 he worked at the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University, where he developed the computer program AARON, which became his creative authority from then on. Besides instructions on form and colour the program also takes into account what AARON has previously drawn, thus making it highly complex. Over the years AARON was further developed by the artist ('taught by the artist'), making it more and more a complex system. AARON can be seen as the first robot in human history to create art, the world's first pure A.I. (artificial intelligence) artist. The machine for example even selects and mixes colours and washes out the brushes. AARON cannot learn new techniques or imagery on its own - this must be hand-coded by Harold Cohen - but it is capable of producing a practically infinite output of distinct images in its own style.

Collection
Accession number
E.953-2008

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 createdJune 8, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON