Computer Graphics -- Computer Art

Ten years have passed since the first edition of this book, a time sary to stress that the availability of colors further assists artistic span during which all activities connected with computers have ambitions. experienced an enormous upswing, due in particular to the ad­ The dynamics of display which can be achieved on the screen is vances in the field of semiconductor electronics which facilitated also of significance for the visual arts. It is a necessary condition microminiaturization. With the circuit elements becoming small­ for some technical applications, for example when simulating er and smaller, i. e. the transition to integrated circuits, the price dynamic processes. Although the graphics systems operating in real time were not designed for artistic purposes, they nonethe­ of hardware was reduced to an amazingly low level: this has de­ less open the most exciting aspects to the visual arts. While the finitely been an impulse of great importance to the expansion of computer technology, as well as to areas far removed from tech­ static computer picture was still a realization in line with the nology. Installations and Methods The Computer and Aesthetic Processes 1 The Analogue Computer 1 The Digital Computer 1 Structure of the Computer 2 Microcomputers Hardware 3 Memory Input Devices Output Devices Graphic Output Mechanical Output Devices Electronic Output Devices Printing Devices Software Organization of Digital Computer Processes Programming Languages Graphical Programming Computer Graphics in Interactive Operation Graphics Systems Mathematical Operations/Random Processes Computer Graphics in Practice Graphic Data Processing Word Processing Systems Business Graphics CAD/CAM Process Supervision Simulation Animation Picture Processing Pattern Recognition 53 Picture Processing in Computer Art New Tasks of Picture Processing Further Artistic Applications Dynamic Pictures Cinematography Animation Video Sculpture Dance Music Literature Multi-Media The Computer and the Environment History of Computer Art The Move to Computer Graphics Technological Progress Calculation Graphics Alienated Science The Beginning of Computer Graphics International Exhibitions Publications on Computer Art The Expansive Period Recent Activities Computer Sculpture Computer Film Computer Texts Computer Music Theater, Dance, Multi-Media Computer Architecture Applied Computer Art Design Games and Entertainment Animation Visualization in the Classroom Art Theory Theoretical Foundations of Computer Art Computer Art and Art Criticism Exact Aesthetics Statistical Methods The School of Max Bense Information Aesthetics Cybernetic Art Theory Practical Consequences Experimental Aesthetics The Random as Generative Impulse The Future of Computer Art Bibliography Name Index Subject Index Computer art, first conceived twenty years ago, is undergoing rapid development; exhibitions are being organized from time to time in all major countries, and increasing interest in it is being shown by the press and television. This book offers an elementary introduction to its methods and problems, particularly those of computer graphics. It is the first book to give a comprehensive survey of the subject and its brief history, and, while written in a way fully intelligible to the interested layman, contains a great deal of technical information. The author first outlines the basic process of computer programming as a background for the non-specialist reader, and indicates the different uses of digital and analogue computers. He then goes on to describe in some detail the way computers can be programmed to produce works of graphic art, and lists the various methods of output for the completed works. From the technical problems, the author turns to relations between traditional aesthetics and the criteria by which these revolutionary works must be jugded and appreciated. The main emphasis is on graphics, but computer sculpture, music, ballet, drama and poetry are also discussed. He refers to the result sand experiments carried out in many countries with special reference to computer artists working in the USA, Great Britain and Germany. Computer art has opened up a new world, and this is a unique guidebook to a territory which is still unfamiliar to most, but which will become common ground to art lovers of future generations. Ten years have passed since the first edition of this book, a time sary to stress that the availability of colors further assists artistic span during which all activities connected with computers have ambitions. experienced an enormous upswing, due in particular to the ad­ The dynamics of display which can be achieved on the screen is vances in the field of semiconductor electronics which facilitated also of significance for the visual arts. It is a necessary condition microminiaturization. With the circuit elements becoming small­ for some technical applications, for example when simulating er and smaller, i. e. the transition to integrated circuits, the price dynamic processes. Although the graphics systems operating in real time were not designed for artistic purposes, they nonethe­ of hardware was reduced to an amazingly low level: this has de­ less open the most exciting aspects to the visual arts. While the finitely been an impulse of great importance to the expansion of computer technology, as well as to areas far removed from tech­ static computer picture was still a realization in line with technology. Front Matter....Pages I-XII Installations and Methods....Pages 1-92 History of Computer Art....Pages 93-152 Theoretical Foundations of Computer Art....Pages 153-162 The Future of Computer Art....Pages 163-167 Back Matter....Pages 169-177