Exhibition Dates:
September 19, 2024 - January 26, 2025

Location:
Pera Museum
Meşrutiyet Caddesi No: 65
Istanbul, Türkiye

*Iskra Velitchkova. Squared, 2023. Print © Iskra Velitchkova*

The Pera Museum in Istanbul is currently hosting a remarkable exhibition titled In Search of Vera Molnár (À La Recherche de Vera Molnár), which will run from September 19, 2024, to January 26, 2025. The exhibition pays tribute to Vera Molnár, a pioneer of computer-generated art, while showcasing the works of 16 contemporary artists who draw inspiration from her groundbreaking methods.

Vera Molnár (1924–2023) was one of the earliest artists to explore the use of algorithms and computers in visual art. Starting in the 1960s, she created systematic series of drawings using simple algorithms, laying the groundwork for what is now known as generative art. By the 1970s, Molnár was producing digital works at the Sorbonne University’s computer center, using plotters to draw on perforated paper.

Along with her partner, she developed the “Molnárt system,” a unique algorithm written in the Fortran programming language that introduced a deliberate 1% disorder into her otherwise precise work. Molnár’s ability to blend order and chaos in her art led to her series of reinterpretations of works by masters such as Cézanne, Dürer, Mondrian, and Malevich. Her impact on the field of computer art has been immense, inspiring generations of artists who have pushed the boundaries of what digital art can achieve.

*Vera Molnar at her home/studio in 1961. Photography by François Molnar. Courtesy Vera Molnar Archives.*

Generative art is a form of art that uses algorithms and computer software to create autonomous systems that generate visual works. This approach allows artists to experiment with randomness and controlled systems to produce pieces that evolve beyond their direct control. Artists input parameters, but the final output is often influenced by computational processes that result in unique, often unexpected visuals. Molnár was one of the first to embrace this method, using the emerging technology of the time to expand the possibilities of art and expression.

The exhibition features 16 contemporary artists who continue Molnár’s legacy by utilizing algorithms, video, and augmented reality in their work. Each artist brings their interpretation of Molnár’s vision, blending technology and art to create thought-provoking pieces:

Refik Anadol is Turkish media artist known for his immersive digital installations, Anadol creates data-driven artworks that transform architectural spaces into fluid, dynamic landscapes.

Refik Anadol is also featured in 10 Digital Artists: Immersive Art Experiences

Arno Beck explores the intersection between traditional and digital art through the use of manual processes like typewriting and painting, echoing Molnár's early algorithmic methods.

Peter Beyls is a Belgian artist who specializes in generative systems and interactive installations, bridging the gap between art and artificial intelligence.

Snow Yunxue Fu is a Chinese-American new media artist who uses 3D animation and virtual reality to create immersive digital landscapes.

“It’s been such an honor to be part of the traveling exhibition and I wish I am able to check it out in person at Pera this time, but due to pregnancy it is hard for me to travel however, I am glad to have Daughter ICE presenting the Metaverse sculpture park with the avatar I made of Vera Molnar together.”

— Snow Yunxue Fu

Snow Yunxue Fu is also featured in 10 Digital Artists: The Best of AR Art

*Mario Klingemann. Hommage à Vera Molnár (Tramée Temporale, 2023. Algorithmic video engine. Installation view © Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art Photo: József Rosta*

Mario Klingemann is German artist and AI researcher, who is renowned for his use of machine learning to produce surreal, AI-generated art that explores the creative potential of algorithms.

Patrick Lichty is a multimedia artist whose work spans digital culture, activism, and visual art. His pieces explore the intersection of virtual and physical spaces.

“I’d been involved in generative/algorithmic art ever since meeting Roman Verostko in 1994, and fell in love with the work of all the Algorists, but did not start making my own work until the late 1990’s. What interested me in Vera’s work is her dedication to form, and her love of artists such as Durer. Her homages inspired my homage to her, and as artists, we learn the most when we study from one another.”

— Patrick Lichty

Read our interview with Patrick Lichty to learn more about his art, creative process, and inspirations.

Frieder Nake is one of the first practitioners of computer art. His work involves the use of early algorithms to produce generative graphics, much like Molnár’s pioneering efforts.

Casey Reas is the co-creator of the Processing programming language, and a digital artist whose generative works often explore the tension between human control and machine autonomy.

Read: How to Create Generative Art with Processing

Antoine Schmitt’s work interrogates the nature of systems, whether human, technological, or environmental, by employing algorithms to produce dynamic, evolving visuals.

*Antoine Schmitt. 100 Squares Ensemble, 2024. Installation view © Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art Photo: József Rosta*

Erwin Steller is a contemporary of Molnár and a post-war new media artist. Having studied mathematics and physics, he has worked as a high school teacher and a lecturer of Computer and Art at universities across Europe.

“My goal is to visualize mathematics aesthetically. To do this, I alienate, even destroy, mathematics in order to rebuild it.”

— Erwin Steller

Tamiko Thiel is known for her work in augmented reality and virtual reality, creating experiences that invite viewers to step into immersive, digitally constructed worlds.

u2p050 is a creative studio and production company experimenting at the crossroads of art, philosophy and technology, based in Paris.

Iskra Velitchkova is a Bulgarian visual artist who creates digital art through generative algorithms that explore themes of nature, technology, and human perception.

aurèce vettier is a French collective that employs artificial intelligence to craft works that challenge conventional definitions of authorship and creativity.

Mark Wilson is a generative artist and researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of geometry, mathematics, and art, echoing Molnár’s geometric explorations.

*Mark Wilson. Hommage à Molnár, 2023. Unique archival ink jet print on rag paper 91 x 91 cm © Mark Wilson*

Samuel Yan’s art combines generative design with cultural references, exploring how algorithms can shape new forms of digital expression.

The Pera Museum, located in the heart of Istanbul, is known for its commitment to bridging traditional and contemporary art. It frequently hosts exhibitions that challenge artistic norms and foster cultural dialogue. This exhibition fits perfectly within this mission, offering visitors a chance to engage with the intersection of technology and art through the works of a digital art pioneer and those she has inspired.

Istanbul has increasingly become a hub for digital art in recent years, attracting global talent and fostering a vibrant scene of tech-driven creativity. The city's blend of ancient history and cutting-edge technology provides fertile ground for artists exploring the intersection of tradition and innovation. Embracing digital and generative art, the city continues to solidify its reputation as a major player in the international digital art community.

In Search of Vera Molnár is a reflection on how far the world of generative art has come, and how talented digital artists creatively and uniquely interpret the very tools Molnár helped to pioneer.

Visit the exhibition at Pera Museum through January 26, 2025 and let us know your thoughts!