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Generative Systems: Art, Science and Technology

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Generative Systems
Gerative System Class in Chicago
Years active1970–1980
LocationUnited States
Major figuresSonia Landy Shridan
InfluencesMoholy Naghy

Generative Systems was a program founded by Sonia Landy Sheridan at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1970 to help integrate art with new technologies.[1]

History

Sheridan was teaching art at the institute during the 1960s, still using pen, pencil and brush. In the late 1960s silk screen printing was added, along with a new Cameron enlarging technology[clarification needed], followed by a 3M Thermo-Fax copier.[2] Don Conlin, manager of the 3M Color Research Lab, introduced Sheridan to Dr. Douglas Dybvig, chemist and primary inventor of Color-in-Color, the world's first color copier. Sheridan was invited by 3M to spend the summer of 1970 in the 3M Color Research Lab to work along with Dr. Dybvig and the developers of Color-in-Color.[3] After a demonstration in the school, Conlin and Dybvig arranged for a Color-in-Color copier to be installed in Sheridan's Generative Systems class. In the interim, Sheridan and her students acquired a couple of transmission (fax) machines, a Haloid Xerox, and other assorted older business machines, plus experimental cameras.

In the 1970s electronic technology replaced hand tools and real time imaging emerged in a symbiosis between Art, Science and Technology. The use of industrial photocopiers and computers as creative tools, was a contribution to interdisciplinary approach to the fine arts, exploring the creative possibilities of image-generating equipment. The use of communications instruments generated innovative research.[4]

Sheridan initiated Generative Systems program introducing students to various reprography techniques like the first graphic arts experiments, xerography (electronic imaging), the Thermo-Fax copier, the Telecopier, the Haloid (Xerox) camera, using these machines in conjunction with other devices: gatling camera, video monitor, frequency generator, biofeedback system.[5]

The singular methods of instruction used by Sheridan in her Generative Systems courses created a new way of teaching art and technology integration within a practical context under the basics of creative thinking and  experimentation.[6][7]

File:Marisa, Sonia y Jamy.jpg
Marisa Gonzalez, Sonia Landy Sheridan and Jamy Sheridan. This image was taken with the Vango computer program, invented by John Dunn.

The students that attended the program had different backgrounds such as photographers, filmmakers, painters, Music composers, writers, inventors (Greg Gundlach received 5 patents for 3D photography, that he worked on in Generative Systems).[8] At least 4 countries were represented among the students, Elizabeth de Ribes from Paris, France, Marisa Gonzalez from Madrid, Spain, Michael Rouviere Day from Montreal, Canada, Marie Luisa Ortega, "Malu", and Alberto from Mexico City, Mexico, Malu was working with Sonia Sheridan and Martha Loving at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

Experienced students enrolled in the Generative Systems program: John Dunn, a former student at SAIC, invented EASEL software for a Cromemco Z2D DOS computer. This was later followed by Lumena software in a Time Arts PC computer, produced by John Dunn’s California company, Time Arts, Inc, Ink jet printers were usually used. With this system she introduced the students to computers and digital image processing tools, to the basics of infography and computer animation. John Dunn also created, the software Vango for the PC. VanGo would evolve into Wonk. Jamy Sheridan worked with John Dunn on the visual part of this newer Wonk sound/image system.[9]

File:Sonia Jamy and Jhon.jpg
Sonia L. Sheridan, Jamy Sheridan and John Dunn, at the Marisa Gonzalez workshop in the Circle of Fine Arts in Madrid in 1992.

Sheridan shared her philosophical heritage about art, science and technology in society with her students: John Dunn, Greg Gundlach, Martha Loving Orgain, Mitch Petchenick, Craig Goldwyn, John Mabey, Phil Malkin, Marilyn Goldstein, Barbara MacKowiak, Michael Day, Jessie Affelder, Bill McCabe, Gerda Bernstein, Elizabeth De Ribes, Pete Lekousis, Brian Oglesbee, Suzanne L. Seed, Marisa González, Mary Jane Dougherty, Holly Pedlosky and Ric Puls.[10]

Through the GS department, inventors, researchers, scientists, artists interacted and experimented with the students. She collaborated with Leif Brush, Willard Van De Bogart, Aldo Tambellini, as well as with the great multimedia pioneer artist Stan Vanderbeek with whom she participated in workshops and TV videos.[11]

For the first time in Europe, Sheridan had her solo show and workshop with the Lumena System at the Musee d'Art Moderne de La Ville de Paris, in the exhibition "Electra" in Paris in 1983 and 1984.[12]

Two years later, in 1986, she brought the same System to the National Museum Art Center Reina Sofia in Madrid at the exhibition "Processos Cultura y Nuevas Tecnologías". This was the first exhibition celebrated at the National Museum Art Center Reina Sofia.[13]

File:Sonia and John.jpg
Sonia L. Sheridan and John Dunn at Making Waves exhibition. Picture taken by Marisa Gonzalez

In October 1986, took place the "Making Waves. Interactive Art/Science Exhibition", in Evanston, Illinois. "Making Waves" provides a historical perspective about art and technology. Seven artists and scientists whose pioneering work has had a major impact on the direction and development of the new art. Sonia Sheridan had a major exhibition workshop presenting the Computer Lumena System.[14]

Generative Systems conference and DVD publications at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdmon, the Beatle's old school in the year 1999.

Sheridan in October 2009 reunited with some Generative Systems students at "The Art of Sonia Landy Sheridan" exhibition at the Hood Museum of Art in Dartmouth College, Hanover (New Hampshire).[15]

In 2013 at the "Festival of Art and Visual Culture" in Berlin, Transmediale, the curator of the exhibition of the festival, Jacob Lillemose, selected Sonia Sheridan with her solo show "Exhibition Imaging with Machine Processes". The Generative Art of Sonia Landy Sheridan as a researcher and pioneer in new media not only in North America but throughout the world, as well as for her teaching at SAIC, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.[16]

Since April 2005, at the Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science, and Technology in Montreal, Canada has the Sonia Landy Sheridan fonds, documentation, archives, texts, digital files and artwork, master videotapes of the program by John Mabey, sound tapes, early computer original Sheridan discs. In 2006, Kathryn Farley was awarded a Grant for Researcher in Residence by the Daniel Langlois Foundation to chart the history of the Generative Systems, a groundbreaking instructional program founded in 1970 by Professor Sonia Landy Sheridan at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and trace its seminal impact on the development of technological arts education.[17] Farley worked in close contact with Web designer, Ludovic Carpentier, and archivist Vincent Bonin, to conceive of an interface that illuminates the complex matrix of ideas, processes and practices that Generative Systems gave rise to, drew inspiration from and transformed during its lifespan.[18] Information is arranged within the matrix in a way that emphasizes the interconnected components of the program, helping to demonstrate its collaborative, experimental and process-oriented features in real-time.[19]

These records can, for the most part, be found in the series Books, exhibition catalogues, periodicals and manuscripts and Generative Systems classroom records at the Daniel Langlois Foundation. Finally, the fonds includes correspondence and general documents relating to Sheridan's personal life, including boxes of her father's correspondence with her relating to Generative Systems developments. The fonds consist of seven series: Research and teaching activities (1960–2002, particularly 1960–1990); Publishing and editing activities; Events: exhibitions and conferences (1954–2004, particularly 1963–1992); Books, exhibition catalogues, periodicals and manuscripts (1964–2004, particularly 1964–1994); Background files (1968–2004, particularly 1968–1993); Artworks and printouts (1969–2002); General correspondence (1973–1994).[20]

Publications

  • Artist in the Science Lab (3M Corporation, St. Paul, 1976).
  • Energized Art/Science (Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and 3M Corporation, St. Paul, 1978).
  • Musèe d'Art Modern de la Ville de Paris. Electra.[21]
  • Museo Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Procesos: Cultura y Nuevas Tecnologías.[22]
  • Alcalá, José R., Canales, Fernando Ñ.: Copy Art. La fotocopia como soporte expresivo.[23]
  • LEONARDO. Journal of the international society for the arts, sciences ad technology, Volume 23.[24]
  • Urbons, Klaus. Copy Art.[25]
  • Urbons, Klaus. Elektrografie. Analoge und digitale Bilder.[26]
  • Evolution 2.0. Generative Systems & Generative Art. (ISEA, Liverpool, 1998)
  • González, Marisa. Registros Hiperfotográficos e Instalaciones.[27]
  • Landy Sheridan, Sonia. Art at the dawning of the electronic era: generative systems.[28]

References

  1. ^ Sonia Landy Sheridan. "Generative Systems at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1970–1980". Taylor & Francis Online. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "Fonds Sonia Sheridan : Procédé : Thermo-Fax". www.fondation-langlois.org (in French). Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  3. ^ "Fonds Sonia Sheridan : Procédé : Color-in-Color I, II (3M)". www.fondation-langlois.org. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  4. ^ Jürgens, Martin. "Digital Printouts and Hardcopies – What is (and isn't) a Photographic Print Today?" (PDF). www.girona.cat.
  5. ^ "Networked_Performance – Sonia Sheridan & Generative Systems". turbulence.org. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  6. ^ "MediaArtHistories Archive: Generative Systems: The Art and Technology of Classroom Collaboration". pl02.donau-uni.ac.at. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  7. ^ "Proto punk and generative art pioneer–Sonia Landy Sheridan". Mad Art Lab. May 10, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  8. ^ "Leonardo On-Line: Generative Systems". www.leonardo.info. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  9. ^ "The Impact of the Work of Sonia Landy Sheridan" (PDF). Mary Flanagan.
  10. ^ "SONIA SHERIDAN, PIONERA EN NUEVAS TECNOLOGÍAS". M-Arte y Cultura Visual. April 4, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  11. ^ Sheridan, Sonia Landy (January 1, 1983). "Generative Systems versus Copy Art: A Clarification of Terms and Ideas". Leonardo. 16 (2): 103–108. doi:10.2307/1574794. JSTOR 1574794.
  12. ^ "Exposition " Electra ", Paris, 1983". www.fondation-langlois.org. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  13. ^ "Procesos: cultura y nuevas tecnologías | Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía". www.museoreinasofia.es (in Spanish). Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  14. ^ Kirkpatrick, Diane; Evanston Art Center (January 1, 1986). Making waves: an interactive art/science exhibition, October 17 – November 16, 1986. Evanston, Ill.: The Center.
  15. ^ "The Art of Sonia Landy Sheridan | Hood Museum". hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  16. ^ "Imaging With Machine Processes | transmediale". transmediale.de. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  17. ^ "Kathryn Farley, Generative Systems : Color-in-Color". www.fondation-langlois.org. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  18. ^ "Kathryn Farley, Generative Systems : Lettre à Sonia Sheridan". www.fondation-langlois.org. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  19. ^ "La fondation Daniel Langlois : À propos de la fondation Daniel Langlois". www.fondation-langlois.org. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  20. ^ "Sonia Sheridan fonds : Kathryn Farley: Interview with Sonia Sheridan". www.fondation-langlois.org. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  21. ^ Electra. Paris, France: Les Amis du Musée d'Art Modern de la Ville de Paris. 1983. pp. 396–397. ISBN 290449703X.
  22. ^ "Cuatro modos de tiempo: el uso del pincel, la cámara, la fotocopiadora y el ordenador". Cultura y Nuevas tecnologías. Madrid, Spain: Museo Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. 1986. p. 55. ISBN 8486269032.
  23. ^ Alcalá, José R., Canales, Fernando Ñ.: (1986). Copy-Art. La fotocopia como soporte expresivo. Spain: Colección PARAARTE. pp. 52–55. ISBN 8450547717.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ "Mind/Senses/Hand: The Generative Systems Program at the Art Institute of Chicaco 1970–1980". LEONARDO. Journal of the international society for the arts, sciences ad technology. Pergamon Press. 1990. pp. 175–181. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |editors= ignored (|editor= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Urbons, Klaus (1991). Copy art : Kunst und Design mit dem Fotokopierer (in deutch). Köln: DuMont Taschenbücher. pp. 102–108. ISBN 3770126556.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  26. ^ Urbans, Klaus (1994). Elektrografie. Analoge und digitale Bilder (in deutch). Köln: DuMont. pp. 7–28. ISBN 3770132033.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  27. ^ González, Marisa (2000). "Generative Systems". Registros Hiperfotográficos e Instalaciones. Madrid: LA FÁBRICA. p. 228. ISBN 9788489889156.
  28. ^ Landy Sheridan, Sonia (2014). Art at the dawning of the electronic era: generative systems. Lonesome Press. ISBN 9780615888699.

External links

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