03: Timeline Ch 3—Analog Era (1950s) with Georg Bak

In this Le Random Generative Art Timeline Artist Discussion, hosts Peter Bauman (Monk Antony), Conrad House (Nemocake) and thefunnyguys welcome four of this decade's most prominent voices and builders: Lauren Lee McCarthy, Erick Calderon, Itzel Yard and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. The artists explore themes like the rise of AI, NFTs, and the increased institutional interest in digital art, proposing names for the decade such as the "Normalization Era" or "Digital Dramaturgy Era." McCarthy and Lozano-Hemmer discuss the dual nature of technology, highlighting both its empowering and its potentially oppressive aspects, while stressing the importance of community and critical engagement. Erick Calderon and Itzel Yard emphasize the positive communal and creative impacts of digital platforms like Art Blocks and the significance of making art accessible through modern technology. We conclude with reflections on the growing acceptance of digital art by institutions, the importance of preserving digital art, and the powerful role of art in understanding and navigating contemporary life. Chapters: [00:00:05]: Introduction to Final Chapter Release Discussion [00:02:01]: Future Timeline Discussions and Cross-Generational Plans [00:03:39]: Generative Art Timeline's Completion and Future Plans [00:05:21]: Themes of the 2020s in Digital Art [00:07:07]: Introduction of Guest Artists and Their Achievements [00:10:03]: Naming the0s Decade in Digital Art [00:17:34]: Participation’s Role in Digital Art [00:28:20]: Artists’ Perspectives on Technology and Art [00:51:51]: Positive Trends in Digital Art and Museum Engagement [01:01:42]: Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

This is Le Random's discussion following the release of Chapter 9 of our Generative Art Timeline, which covered the decade of the 2010s. Le Random's Peter Bauman (Monk Antony), editor in chief at Le Random is joined by co-founder thefunnyguys and Content Lead Conrad House. Our guests today are some of the artists and thinkers who lived art history in the 2010s. They are Tyler Hobbs, Helena Sarin, Rhea Myers, and Gene Kogan. Join us as we discuss digital expression in a decade of major trends such as AI's rise and the invention of NFTs.

Algorithmic and digital art founder Frieder Nake joined Peter Bauman (Monk Antony) to continue their chat after the release of "Frieder Nake on 'Machinic' Miracles" at Le Random Editorials. Chapters: [00:00:29]: Introduction to Frieder Nake and his contributions to digital art [00:02:32]: Computers and the concept of quality vs quantity [00:03:26]: Quantity turning into quality [00:05:31]: Pattern recognition and discovery of new quality [00:07:07]: Connection to Max Bense's Generative Aesthetics [00:09:13]: Intuition versus machine randomness [00:12:15]: Creativity, emotion and the role of intuition [00:24:53]: AI and human choices in art [00:38:23]: Alienation and creativity in artistic expression

In our chat, "Art & Code in the 2000s," from May 14, 2024, a panel of the decade's leading figures joins ⁠Peter Bauman⁠, ⁠Conrad House⁠ and thefunnyguys from Le Random. They share their diverse perspectives on the 2000s in coded and generative art, reflecting on what made the decade unique as well as what we may have lost and are searching for today. Speakers include: ⁠Christiane Paul, Casey Reas, Christa Sommerer & Golan Levin

In our chat, "Pioneering Digital Expression in the '90s," from April 10, 2024, a panel of legends joins Le Random's ⁠Peter Bauman⁠, ⁠Conrad House and thefunnyguys⁠. They share their diverse perspectives on the 1990s as pioneers of an often overlooked decade. It's only overlooked because of its recency, as the impact the decade had can still be seen all around today, including AI and Internet-related art. The parallels between artists getting started on the Internet in the '90s and artists beginning with blockchain and AI today are stark. Enjoy one of Le Random's most enriching conversations yet. Speakers include: Auriea Harvey, Joshua Davis, LIA, Scott Draves, Vuk Ćosić Chapters 📖 [00:00:04]: Introduction to the Le Random discussion [00:05:05]: Early experiences with net art in the 90s [00:17:16]: Early programming experiences and Flash art [00:27:27]: Creation of the Electric Sheep algorithm [00:31:58]: Evolutionary art and machine learning influence [00:44:02]: Personal connections and significance of local scenes [00:49:21]: Impact of global audience on creative freedom [00:56:56]: Use of Flash and freedom in artistic expression [00:58:41]: Influence of avant-garde and personal creative journey [00:59:45]: Reflections on early internet experiences and creativity [01:01:12]: Introduction to Flash vs. Director [01:02:42]: Transition to Flash for Design Intention [01:04:06]: Benefits of Vector-Based Design in Flash [01:06:38]: Evolution to Processing and Coding [01:08:55]: Transition from Director to P5JS [01:09:56]: Learning Different Programming Languages [01:10:42]: Challenges of Shader Programming [01:11:13]: Node-Based Programming Tools [01:12:46]: Impact of Tools and Languages in Work [01:15:16]: Reflections on the '90s Tech Community

The Le Random team met up to celebrate a year since our public launch. thefunnyguys, Zack Taylor, Peter Bauman and Conrad House discuss: -One year of LR: Our favorite collected pieces 36 Points by Sage Jensen & seeds of seeds by Entangled Others Polygona Nervosa by Golan Levin RGB Elementary Cellular Automaton #1 by ciphrd Mondrian by Herbert W. Franke -One year of LR: Our favorite editorial pieces Demystifying Generative Aesthetics by Peter Demystifying Generative Art by Peter AGH on Glorifying the Computer by Peter Il(Lumina)ting Marfa by Nathaniel Stern Zach Lieberman on the Resonance of Generative Art by Peter -One year of LR: Our favorite moments -Our current thoughts on the market -Questions from the audience

In our chat, "Pioneers of '80s Art & Innovation," from February 7, 2024, a panel of icons joins Peter Bauman and Conrad House. They share their diverse perspectives on the 1980s in digital and generative art, reflecting the decade's richness and complexity. Speakers include: Mark Wilson, Copper Giloth, Dan Sandin, David Em, William Latham, Stephen Todd, Darcy Gerbarg + Geoff Davis Chapters 📖 [00:00:00]: Introduction [00:01:55]: The Decade of the 80s [00:02:30]: Darcy Gerbarg's Experience [00:06:36]: Copper Giloth's Pioneering Work [00:09:04]: Mark Wilson's Journey [00:14:53]: David Em's Early Encounters [00:20:50]: William Latham's IBM Fellowship [00:24:50]: Stephen Todd's Collaboration with William [01:00:02]: Early experiences with personal computers [01:01:13]: Transition to personal computers for artists [01:03:01]: Evolution of personal computers in the 80s [01:04:22]: Giloth on gender bias in the '80s art world [01:06:21]: Giloth on computer graphics & the portrayal of women's bodies [01:08:38]: Expansion of artist community in the '80s [01:10:19]: Generative art and its evolution [01:13:47]: Creativity & the Chicago video game industry [01:17:05]: Influence of Silicon Graphics on commercial graphics

On February 1, 2024, Le Random collaborated with Joyn to host and present a community celebration of Genuary. Genuary is a generative art month, during which artists create daily pieces according to 31 carefully selected prompts. We invited some very special artists as guests, including the organizer of the event itself, Piter Pasma. We asked the artists about their experience participating in Genuary 2024 and more. The talk is in conjunction with an article Peter Bauman (Monk Antony) wrote on Joyn.xyz, where he curated and shared his thoughts on his 10 favorite Genuary prompts. Hosts: Aleksandra Art (Joyn), Peter Bauman⁠ (Content at Le Random), thefunnyguys (Co-Founder of Le Random), Conrad House (Nemo Cake, Collecting at Le Random) and Andrea (Crown & Palette at Joyn) Arists: Piter Pasma, Ella, Darien Brito, Ahmad Moussa

Generative Art in the 1970s and Today Join hosts Peter Bauman (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monk Antony⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Content at Le Random), Anika Meier (Expanded Art) and Conrad House (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nemo Cake⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Collecting at Le Random), as they welcome generative art legends Joan Truckenbrod and Hans Dehlinger to discuss the 1970s in generative art. The episode is released to celebrate Chapter 5 of our Generative Art Timeline, covering the decade of the '70s.

The Le Random team of ⁠⁠⁠thefunnyguys⁠⁠⁠, Peter Bauman (⁠⁠⁠Monk Antony⁠⁠⁠) and Conrad House (⁠⁠⁠Nemo Cake⁠⁠⁠) spoke to special guest and celebrated collector ⁠⁠⁠Michael Spalter about the dense history of the 1960s in generative art⁠, the Early Digital Era. This episode corresponds with: ⁠⁠⁠Generative Art Timeline: Chapter 4⁠⁠ 10 Significant Early Digital Era Moments (Covered in the talk)⁠ 1961: New Tendencies and Fluxus Begin 1963: Nake begins making computer art + 1965: Homage a Paul Klee 1965: First computer art exhibits (Computergrafik (Feb), Computer-Generated Pictures, and computer grafik (Nov)) 1966: CTG and generative systems 1966: 9 Evenings and E.A.T. Forms 1967: Sol LeWitt “Paragraphs on Conceptual Art” + 1969 Wall Drawings 1967: Charles Csuri’s early work  1968: Cybernetic Serendipity  1968-9: Major international art and technology exhibitions:  1968: The machine as seen… (USA) 1969: Tendencies 4 (Europe) 10. 1968: Molnar’s Interruptions: her first computer art