December 16th, 2023

Happy Saturday! As I write this Friday evening, I’ve been quite sick for 2 days so I hope ya’ll will forgive me for keeping the personal words brief. You’re in for a great read with illustrata this week, I hope you enjoy!

In memory of Vera Molnár who just passed away this month, I thought it would be fitting to research this pioneer of generative art.

Artist Spotlight - Vera Molnár (1924-2023)

Career

Vera Molnár was born January 5, 1924, in Budapest, Hungary. She studied for a degree in art history and aesthetics at the Budapest College of Fine Arts and began her career as a traditional painter but gradually became interested in geometric abstraction.

In the 1960s, Molnár started experimenting with computers, becoming one of the first artists to explore the use of algorithms and machines in the creation of art. This was a groundbreaking shift at a time when computers were not widely accessible. Her initial explorations involved creating algorithms to generate visual compositions. This was groundbreaking, as it shifted the role of the artist from a manual creator to a conceptual planner who sets the parameters for the artwork.

Contributions to the Art World

Molnár's early work with computer algorithms marked a pioneering moment in the history of digital and algorithmic art. Her contributions in this realm have had a lasting impact on the art world, particularly in how technology is used as a medium for artistic expression.

Access to computers was largely restricted to universities, research institutions, and large corporations in the 1960’s. These computers were significantly different from today's personal computers, both in size and capability. Molnár would write algorithms – sets of instructions for the computer to follow – to generate her art. These algorithms defined rules for creating geometric shapes, patterns, and compositions.

The output of these algorithms was often in the form of plotter drawings. Plotters were devices that could draw images on paper based on commands from a computer. They were among the earliest tools for creating physical representations of digital art.

Her approach often involved setting parameters or variables within her algorithms and then allowing the computer to execute these instructions to generate variations on a theme. This process allowed her to explore a vast array of geometric configurations and patterns, some of which would be impractical or too time-consuming to calculate and draw by hand.

In her work, Molnár balanced control (through the parameters she set) with elements of randomness or chance (how these parameters interacted in the algorithm). This approach was groundbreaking in how it used the computer as a collaborative tool in the creative process.

Style

Vera Molnár's art style is a fascinating amalgamation of strict geometric rigor, mathematical precision, and a subtle playfulness that comes from introducing randomness and variation.

Her work is characterized by its focus on basic geometric shapes – lines, squares, triangles, and circles. These forms are used in various configurations to create complex and intriguing patterns. Her style is often minimalist, using a limited range of elements to create visually engaging compositions. This minimalism is not about simplicity for its own sake but about exploring the depth and complexity that can be achieved with basic forms.

A defining aspect of Molnár's art is her use of algorithms to generate patterns and compositions. This method allowed her to systematically explore the permutations and combinations of geometric forms. While the algorithms provided a structured approach, Molnár often introduced randomness into her systems. This could mean allowing the algorithm to vary certain elements unpredictably, creating a unique blend of precision and spontaneity.

Much of her work involves creating series based on a single thematic or formal idea, then producing variations within that theme. This process highlights how subtle changes can significantly impact the overall composition. The repetition of forms and introduction of slight variations create a sense of rhythm and movement in her works, making static shapes appear dynamic.

Early in her career, Molnár’s color palette was often restrained, focusing more on the form and structure. Later, she began incorporating more color into her works, using it to add another layer of variation and expressiveness.

Lines play a crucial role in Molnár's work, used not just to define shapes but as elements in their own right. The thickness, length, orientation, and arrangement of lines are carefully considered to create balance and tension within the composition.

Influences and Lessons

The geometric abstraction in Molnár's work shows the influence of Constructivism and the Bauhaus movement. These movements' emphasis on geometric forms, functionalism, and the integration of art with technology resonate in her systematic approach to art.

Although her work is markedly different from Abstract Expressionism in style, the movement's emphasis on spontaneity and individual expression influenced her, especially in her incorporation of randomness and variation within her systematic approach.

Molnár was also influenced by the Concrete Art movement, with Max Bill being of particular significance to her. This movement focused on art as an objective language of form and color, which aligns with her approach to geometric abstraction.

Molnár’s work teaches the value of embracing new technologies in creative practices. Her pioneering use of computers demonstrates how artists can utilize technological tools to expand their creative possibilities. Her systematic approach to art, using algorithms and predefined rules, highlights the importance of methodical exploration in the creative process. This approach can lead to unexpected and innovative outcomes.

Her work shows that constraints, whether self-imposed or external, can be a powerful catalyst for creativity. Working within a set of rules or parameters can push artists to think more deeply and creatively.

Style Representation

Collectors Corner

Bajiru - Mirage Aquatique

Artist Highlight - illustrata

If you follow illustrata on X, you’ll immediately notice how hauntingly beautiful her work is. Often depicting a lone character, it’s easy to tell that the work was brought about by channeling emotion and calls back to photography from the early 1900’s. As you’ll read, her work is deeply personal comes from within the heart.

Bio in her own words:

A lifelong creative, illustrata uses AI as a digital paintbrush to conjure and explore emotional, vibrant, and dark spaces. Her work is driven by nostalgia and the memories of the people, places, and things that haunt us. She takes inspiration from the introspective and melancholic voices of 19th-century American poets, the hauntingly beautiful and psychologically complex photography of contemporary photographers, and the emotional depth of 20th-century confessional poets.

illustrata, can you share a pivotal moment in your life that profoundly influenced your artistic journey and the themes you explore in your work?

This is an obvious one but the introduction of AI was a game-changer for me. I've always been creative, but it wasn't until I started using AI that I saw myself as an artist. A big part of this transformation was the incredible community I’ve found, which was instrumental in my learning and self-realization. It was my first time feeling truly connected to a group. But the feeling of being an outsider is something that lingers and comes up in my work often.

How do you navigate the relationship between personal vulnerability and public exposure in your art? Is there a piece of yours that felt particularly exposing to create or share?

It's a day-by-day journey. Sharing is crucial, but it's also important not to overexpose yourself. I struggle to find that balance. Even sharing something mildly personal can feel like too much. Two years ago, simply sharing any art felt incredibly vulnerable. It's gradually become easier, but there's always a bit of internal cringe after sharing. So, I take it one step at a time. But 2024 is going to be all about leaning into the cringe, personally.

In what ways do your artistic practices and processes serve as a dialogue with your own identity, culture, or the larger issues of the world today?

Right now, my art is a journey of self-discovery. It's a way for me to delve into different aspects of who I am, or sometimes it's just about the song that's playing on a loop in my head. The process itself can feel cathartic and that comes across in my prompting. Some of the best prompts come from places of deep sadness, anger and frustration, often with the state of the world today. While deeply personal, my work also touches on universal themes like loneliness, mental illness, relationships, queer love, loss – themes that resonate with many.

Art often requires a balance between discipline and spontaneity. Can you discuss a time when a spontaneous change of direction in your work led to a breakthrough or a significant change in your approach?

Discipline is where I struggle the most! Almost all of my shifts in direction are brought on by something spontaneous. My experimental sessions, where I mix unusual elements, blends, and evocative words, lead me down wild and exciting paths. Lately, I have been playing with new upscaling methods that really transform pieces - particularly older ones made with VQGAN and Disco Diffusion. I’m dreaming up a new collection related to this, and it’s all sparked by spontaneous moments of play and experimentation. My biggest challenge is having the discipline to follow through and tell a cohesive story.

If you could have a conversation with one artist, past or present, who has significantly inspired you, who would it be and what would you ask them about their own creative practice?

I'd choose to talk with Emily Dickinson, a poet who has deeply inspired me. I'm curious about her writing process and her life. There are so many questions to ask – Was she really the isolated, sickly figure history portrays her as? What was the true nature of her relationship with Susan, who is known simply as her sister-in-law?

Are there any pieces or collections that you want to direct readers to check out?

Much of my recent work can be found on Foundation.

I also have editions available on Mint Gold Dust. Flux 2, is part of the Vibisim curation, and was exhibited in AR during Miami Art Week 2023.

Flux 2 by illustrata

Final Thoughts

There’s been a lot of drama this week about disguising the medium in which art is created (if you missed it, consider yourself lucky). When I first started in this space, I always put that my work was “created with AI”. Over time, I stopped doing that because the medium doesn’t matter. Paint brush, AI, algorithms, pen and ink…it’s all art. But if anyone asks, I’m proud to tell them I create art with AI.

And for the love of god, don’t pretend it’s a different medium than it is. There are folks 10x smarter than you or I who will make it their life’s mission to expose frauds in our space. In my opinion, we need that.

As always, if you enjoyed this edition I would really appreciate if you shared it. Just hit the share button below. And if you’re not following me on X yet, I’d love to follow you back.

On that note, I’ll leave you with a quote that inspires me and I’ll go wrap up in a blanket and hope this nasty cold is over soon:

Enjoy your weekend, friend!

P.S. If you have feedback I’d love to hear it! A reply to this email goes directly to me.