Request to view

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

3D Checkerboard Pattern

Lithograph
1968 (published)
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.

The lithograph is derived from a plotter drawing by Donald K. Robbins. A version of the image also features on the poster for the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition, plus the cover of the accompanying publication.

The book jacket describes the image as a "3D computer design based upon the four-bug problem..." In essence, this is a mathematical challenge. Four bugs at the corners of a square crawl clockwise at a constant rate, each moving directly towards its neighbour. At any instant the bugs form a square and, as they crawl towards one another, the square both decreases in size and rotates. With the use of cubes and perspective, Robbins has added a three-dimensional element to the "four-bug" image.

At the time when the original plotter drawing and lithograph were produced, Robbins worked for the Sandia Corporation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Sandia National Laboratories were heavily involved in the development of nuclear weapon systems during and after World War Two. Early computer art was sometimes criticised for its reliance on mainframe computer systems that were generally only available to the military and research institutions.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • 3D Checkerboard Pattern (assigned by artist)
  • 3D Bug Pattern (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph after a computer-generated plotter drawing
Brief description
Lithograph after a computer graphic, entitled '3D Checkerboard Pattern', by Donald K. Robbins. From the Cybernetic Serendipity collector's set, 1968.
Physical description
Lithograph after a computer graphic, 3D checkerboard pattern
Dimensions
  • Height: 28cm
  • Length: 21.8cm
Production typeLimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
'3D Checkerboard Pattern,by D. K. Robbins (Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque). Computer Graphic from I.C.A. Exhibition Cybernetic Serendipity. Published by Motif Editions ©. 58 Frith Street, London, W1
Gallery label
(07/07/2018-18/11/2018)
Chance and Control: Art in the Age of Computers (2018)

DONALD K. ROBBINS (dates unknown)
3D Checkerboard Pattern
Published by Motif Editions, London, 1968

A detail from this image featured on the cover of the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition catalogue, which can be seen in the case nearby. The drawing is based on a mathematical challenge known as the ‘four-bug problem’, where the bugs form a square and crawl clockwise at a constant rate.

Made in the USA, about 1967
Lithograph, after a computer-generated plotter drawing
Museum no. Circ.776-1969
Credit line
Acquired from Motif Editions in 1970.
Object history
This print was published by Motif Editions to accompany the exhibition Cybernetic Serendipity at the Institute of Contemporary Art, London in 1968. It was the seventh print in a Cybernetic Serendipity portfolio and was referred to by the publishers as '3-dimensional bug pattern - blue'
Subject depicted
Association
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.

The lithograph is derived from a plotter drawing by Donald K. Robbins. A version of the image also features on the poster for the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition, plus the cover of the accompanying publication.

The book jacket describes the image as a "3D computer design based upon the four-bug problem..." In essence, this is a mathematical challenge. Four bugs at the corners of a square crawl clockwise at a constant rate, each moving directly towards its neighbour. At any instant the bugs form a square and, as they crawl towards one another, the square both decreases in size and rotates. With the use of cubes and perspective, Robbins has added a three-dimensional element to the "four-bug" image.

At the time when the original plotter drawing and lithograph were produced, Robbins worked for the Sandia Corporation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Sandia National Laboratories were heavily involved in the development of nuclear weapon systems during and after World War Two. Early computer art was sometimes criticised for its reliance on mainframe computer systems that were generally only available to the military and research institutions.
Bibliographic reference
Taken from Departmental Circulation Register 1969
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.776-1969

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 30, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON