Running Cola is Africa
Print
1968 (made)
1968 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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 image was subsequently included in a book published to coincide with Cybernetic Serendipity, an exhibition held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1968. The book of the 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 Ohtake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76)
This screen-printed version of the image is signed by Masao Kohmura, one of the leading members of CTG. Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura.
The same image was also included in a set of seven lithographs by different artists, published by Motif Editions in connection with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition. 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.
"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 Ohtake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76)
This screen-printed version of the image is signed by Masao Kohmura, one of the leading members of CTG. Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura.
The same image was also included in a set of seven lithographs by different artists, published by Motif Editions in connection with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition. 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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Running Cola is Africa (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Screen print of computer-generated plotter drawing on paper |
| Brief description | Screenprint, from a plotter drawing, 'Running Cola is Africa, by Masao Kohmura (Computer Technique Group), Japan, 1968 |
| Physical description | This black and light screen print of a computer plotter drawing, depicts a sequence of contour drawings, showing the transformation of a running person into a Cola-bottle which then further morphs into the map of Africa. Signed and dated with pencil. |
| Dimensions |
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| Copy number | A.P. |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patric Prince |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | 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 image was subsequently included in a book published to coincide with Cybernetic Serendipity, an exhibition held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1968. The book of the 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 Ohtake, programme by Koji Fujino (CTG)" (p.75-76) This screen-printed version of the image is signed by Masao Kohmura, one of the leading members of CTG. Early references to the group include the English-language spelling Komura, but the artist himself prefers the spelling Kohmura. The same image was also included in a set of seven lithographs by different artists, published by Motif Editions in connection with the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition. 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | Reichardt, Jasia. Cybernetic Serendipity: The Computer and the Arts. New York: Praeger, 1968, pp. 75-77 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.950-2008 |
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| Record created | June 8, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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