Art that Makes Itself

The art of two internationally acclaimed artists, a unique father-and-son team, Paul and Daniel Brown was on show recently at Waterman's Arts Centre, Kew Bridge, London 'Art that Makes Itself' (ATMI). 

This exhibition recognizes the growth and emergence of art created using computer code since the late 1960's and indeed the challenging questions relating to this genre, potentially the most contemporary of all 'contemporary' art.

 We spoke to Margaret Boden, a leading figure in Artificial Intelligence, one of the contributors at the ATMI symposium. Margaret is Professor of Cognitive Science at the Department of Informatics at the University of Sussex, where her work embraces the fields of artificial intelligence, psychology, philosophy, cognitive and computer science.

 "Both Paul and Danny are computer artists. But their work is very different.

Paul was one of the first artists in this genre. As a young student in 1968, he was hugely excited by the pioneering "Cybernetic Seredipity" exhibition at London's ICA. That inspired him to make visually interesting patterns by following regularly repeating mathematical rules. His artworks, whether black and white or composed of subtly harmonized or wildly clashing colours, have been commissioned & exhibited all over the world including the V&A's 'Prints Now: Directions and Defenitions (2006)".

Danny's art spreads world-wide and is in collections at The D'arcy Wentworth Thompsom Zoology Musuem and the V & A. Less austere than his father's it features lifelike patterns such as flowers and leaves. With its vibrant crystalline colours, and intriguing patterns in the detail, it lifts the heart and delights the eye in equal measure". Professor Margaret Boden

'On Growth and Form series", Commission for the Victoria and Albert Museum (2009), Gicell Print, HD Screen capture

Commission for the Four Seasons Dubai, 2014, Giclee Print

"Daniel Brown's work changes the way we look at and engage with digital imagery. It is technically innovative and emotionally engaging, but also gives us an extraordinary amount of freedom in the way we experience it" Jonathan Ive, Head of Design, Apple Inc

With thanks to Margaret Boden.