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Running Cola is Africa

Lithograph
1967 - 1968 (made)
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 original plotter drawing for Running Cola is Africa was created by members of the Computer Technique Group in late 1967 or early 1968, at the IBM Scientific Data Centre in Tokyo. The book published to coincide with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition includes the following information about the artwork:

"A computer algorithm converts a running man into a bottle of cola, which in turn is converted into the map of Africa.
Idea by Masao Komura, data by Makato Otake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76)

Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRunning Cola is Africa (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph after a computer-generated plotter drawing
Brief description
Lithograph after a computer-generated drawing, entitled 'Running Cola is Africa', by the Computer Technique Group, 1967/68. From the Cybernetic Serendipity collector's set.
Physical description
The outline of a running man morphs into the shape of a coca cola bottle before transforming into the shape of the African continent
Dimensions
  • Height: 50.6cm
  • Length: 75cm
Production typeLimited edition
Gallery label
In 1968, London‘s Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) held a major exhibition of electronic, cybernetic and computer art. Work by the Computer Technique Group from Japan was shown there. In this computer generated drawing a running man morphs into a Coke bottle and then a map of Africa.

Computer Technique Group
(Masao Komura, Makoto Otake and Koji Fujino), Tokyo
Published by Motif Edition, London
Lithograph
Museum no. Circ.770-1969
Credit line
Acquired from Motif Editions in 1970.
Object history
Cybernetic Serendipity (Institute of Contemporary Arts 01/01/1968-31/12/1968)
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 original plotter drawing for Running Cola is Africa was created by members of the Computer Technique Group in late 1967 or early 1968, at the IBM Scientific Data Centre in Tokyo. The book published to coincide with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition includes the following information about the artwork:

"A computer algorithm converts a running man into a bottle of cola, which in turn is converted into the map of Africa.
Idea by Masao Komura, data by Makato Otake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76)

Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura.
Bibliographic reference
Taken from Departmental Circulation Register 1969
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.770-1969

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
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