⚫️ Exhibition explores legacy of pioneer Vera Molnár at Istanbul's Pera Museum
In Search of Vera Molnár”Celebrates the Intersection of Art and Technology
Running from September 19, 2024, to January 26, 2025, the Pera Museum in Istanbul hosts an exhibition that delves into the groundbreaking work of Vera Molnár, one of the earliest pioneers of computer-generated art. The exhibition, In Search of Vera Molnár (À La Recherche de Vera Molnár), honors the artist's visionary contributions while showcasing the contemporary works of 16 artists influenced by her innovative approach.
Vera Molnár (1924–2023) is celebrated for integrating algorithms and computers into the artistic process, becoming a trailblazer in the field of generative art. In the 1960s, she began experimenting with simple algorithms to create intricate series of drawings, a practice that would come to define the generative art movement. By the 1970s, she was producing digital artwork at the Sorbonne University’s computer center, utilizing plotters to create designs on perforated paper.
Molnár's partnership with her spouse led to the creation of the “Molnárt system,” an algorithm that subtly introduced a 1% degree of disorder into her otherwise structured compositions, demonstrating her unique ability to balance precision with unpredictability. Her reinterpretations of iconic artists like Cézanne, Dürer, Mondrian, and Malevich highlight the lasting influence of her work.
This exhibition not only celebrates Molnár’s pioneering legacy but also features 16 contemporary artists who continue to explore and expand upon the possibilities she opened up in the realm of digital and algorithmic art.
More info: