The American graphic artist Aaron Marcus (b.1943) began his interest in computer aided design in 1966 and is considered an early and influential pioneer in the field. He is also considered the first artist to actively create 3D scenes via a computer. Unlike many of his contemporaries who were primarily focussing on the computer’s ability to create abstract geometric forms, Marcus’ early work had a far more conceptual side to it and he used a computer to assist his art rather than dictate it. In the 1976 book ‘Artist & Computer’ Marcus is noted as having said ” I think much computer art (so-called) of the sixties and even today is constipated, trivial dabbling or merely ornamentation.”
This is a very nice clean example of one of his classic early images self-titled ‘Evolving Gravity II’. It is marked 96/100 and is signed and dated 1975 having been silkscreen printed onto Arches 88 paper. The paper measures 56x76cm and the image 39x56cm.
Marcus’ images from this period were created from programs he would write himself in Fortran and APL ,and he described them as ‘Poem Drawings’. This one in particular almost looks like digital rain creating a striking and emotive image.
This large print is offered in very good condition overall and will be sent rolled.
Marcus’ early works are in many major collections including the V&A in London and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and to my mind this is among his most visually iconic designs.
