This group of three images were produced by German computer art pioneer Georg Nees (1926-2016). Nees was a mathematician and academic turned artist and is widely considered the first artist to present computer graphics as art at an exhibition in 1965. He remained highly influential in the development and spread of computer generated art.
These three images which all measure 30cm x 30cm were curated by Siemens and printed in 1969 for the folio of 10 images entitled ‘Computergrafik Computerplastic’. In 1969 Siemems exhibited at a pavilion of the Hanover Fair and according to the Siemens archive this folio was produced to give away there. Nees worked as a computer programmer for Siemens so it is natural that they would be happy to publish his work although naturally the print run for this folio would have been very limited.
Unsigned, these are genuine period prints created as offset lithographs on slightly glossy paper and have come from a well respected computer art collector. They are all offered in good carefully stored condition and each comes in a modern black metal clip frame that suit them well. One has slight rippling to the paper but does not show in the frame.
Nees used a plotter connected to a Siemens 404 computer for his art, and relied on random number programs which he wrote himself with Algol to create his uniquely abstract look. Details of each image are below.
Untitled (Butterflies)- This image of floating triangles was created by Nees in 1969 and printed in 1970. The idea of a ‘swarm’ is one he would return to several times and talks about them as a ‘graphical alphabet’. Similar images were showcased in Generative Computergrafik of 1969.
Untitled (Surface Ornament)- This image of interwoven trianges was created in 1970 in collaboration with computer artist Ludwig Rase. A related design was illustrated in Generative Computergrafik of 1969.
Untitled (Overlapping Coloured Forms)- This striking multi-coloured image was produced in 1970 and was illustrated in the Ex Machina catalogue of the same date.
