Le Random

In this special Le Random artist discussion—hosted by Peter Bauman (aka Monk Antony), Editor-in-Chief of Le Random—we cover the upcoming Electric Op exhibition at Buffalo AKG. Our guests include four of the most influential voices in digital expression over the past two-three decades: Cory Arcangel, Joan Heemskerk, Tali Hinkis, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Joining Peter is co-host Conrad House (aka Nemocake), Le Random’s Collection Lead.

In this Le Random discussion we are so pleased to speak to a scholar of art history in Dr. Nancy Perloff from the Getty Research Institute. She joins Le Random's editor-in-chief Peter Bauman. Perloff recently curated Sensing the Future: Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.), showing at the Getty Center as part of PST Art.

The pair explores E.A.T.’s influential role in merging art, technology and engineering, a movement founded in 1966 by Bell Labs engineer Billy Klüver and artists like Robert Rauschenberg and John Cage.

Dr. Perloff shares insights on E.A.T.’s success, including as an early digital art network, as well as its collaborations between artists and engineers (mostly from Bell Labs). This included performances like Nine Evenings: Theatre and Engineering and immersive experiences at the 1970 Osaka World Expo’s Pepsi Pavilion. They touch on curatorial challenges, EAT’s experimental nature, its role in building interdisciplinary networks, and its lasting, yet underappreciated, impact on art and technology.

In this Le Random Generative Art Timeline Artist Discussion, hosts Peter Bauman (Monk Antony), Conrad House (Nemocake) and thefunnyguys welcome four of this decade's most prominent voices and builders: Lauren Lee McCarthy, Erick Calderon, Itzel Yard and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

This is Le Random's discussion following the release of Chapter 9 of our Generative Art Timeline, which covered the decade of the 2010s. Le Random's Peter Bauman (Monk Antony), editor in chief at Le Random is joined by co-founder thefunnyguys and Content Lead Conrad House.

Algorithmic and digital art founder Frieder Nake joined Peter Bauman (Monk Antony) to continue their chat after the release of "Frieder Nake on 'Machinic' Miracles" at Le Random Editorials.

Chapters:

[00:00:29]: Introduction to Frieder Nake and his contributions to digital art

[00:02:32]: Computers and the concept of quality vs quantity

[00:03:26]: Quantity turning into quality

[00:05:31]: Pattern recognition and discovery of new quality

[00:07:07]: Connection to Max Bense's Generative Aesthetics

[00:09:13]: Intuition versus machine randomness

[00:12:15]: Creativity, emotion and the role of intuition

[00:24:53]: AI and human choices in art

[00:38:23]: Alienation and creativity in artistic expression

In our chat, "Art & Code in the 2000s," from May 14, 2024, a panel of the decade's leading figures joins ⁠Peter Bauman⁠, ⁠Conrad House⁠ and thefunnyguys from Le Random. They share their diverse perspectives on the 2000s in coded and generative art, reflecting on what made the decade unique as well as what we may have lost and are searching for today.

Speakers include: ⁠Christiane Paul, Casey Reas, Christa Sommerer & Golan Levin

In our chat, "Pioneering Digital Expression in the '90s," from April 10, 2024, a panel of legends joins Le Random's ⁠Peter Bauman⁠, ⁠Conrad House and thefunnyguys⁠. They share their diverse perspectives on the 1990s as pioneers of an often overlooked decade. It's only overlooked because of its recency, as the impact the decade had can still be seen all around today, including AI and Internet-related art. The parallels between artists getting started on the Internet in the '90s and artists beginning with blockchain and AI today are stark. Enjoy one of Le Random's most enriching conversations yet.

Speakers include: Auriea Harvey, Joshua Davis, LIA, Scott Draves, Vuk Ćosić

Chapters 📖

[00:00:04]: Introduction to the Le Random discussion

[00:05:05]: Early experiences with net art in the 90s

[00:17:16]: Early programming experiences and Flash art

[00:27:27]: Creation of the Electric Sheep algorithm

[00:31:58]: Evolutionary art and machine learning influence

[00:44:02]: Personal connections and significance of local scenes

[00:49:21]: Impact of global audience on creative freedom

[00:56:56]: Use of Flash and freedom in artistic expression

[00:58:41]: Influence of avant-garde and personal creative journey

[00:59:45]: Reflections on early internet experiences and creativity

[01:01:12]: Introduction to Flash vs. Director

[01:02:42]: Transition to Flash for Design Intention

[01:04:06]: Benefits of Vector-Based Design in Flash

[01:06:38]: Evolution to Processing and Coding

[01:08:55]: Transition from Director to P5JS

[01:09:56]: Learning Different Programming Languages

[01:10:42]: Challenges of Shader Programming

[01:11:13]: Node-Based Programming Tools

[01:12:46]: Impact of Tools and Languages in Work

[01:15:16]: Reflections on the '90s Tech Community

The Le Random team met up to celebrate a year since our public launch.

thefunnyguys, Zack Taylor, Peter Bauman and Conrad House discuss:

-One year of LR: Our favorite collected pieces

-One year of LR: Our favorite editorial pieces

-One year of LR: Our favorite moments

-Our current thoughts on the market

-Questions from the audience

In our chat, "Pioneers of '80s Art & Innovation," from February 7, 2024, a panel of icons joins Peter Bauman and Conrad House. They share their diverse perspectives on the 1980s in digital and generative art, reflecting the decade's richness and complexity.

Speakers include: Mark Wilson, Copper Giloth, Dan Sandin, David Em, William Latham, Stephen Todd, Darcy Gerbarg + Geoff Davis

Chapters 📖

[00:00:00]: Introduction

[00:01:55]: The Decade of the 80s

[00:02:30]: Darcy Gerbarg's Experience

[00:06:36]: Copper Giloth's Pioneering Work

[00:09:04]: Mark Wilson's Journey

[00:14:53]: David Em's Early Encounters

[00:20:50]: William Latham's IBM Fellowship

[00:24:50]: Stephen Todd's Collaboration with William

[01:00:02]: Early experiences with personal computers

[01:01:13]: Transition to personal computers for artists

[01:03:01]: Evolution of personal computers in the 80s

[01:04:22]: Giloth on gender bias in the '80s art world

[01:06:21]: Giloth on computer graphics & the portrayal of women's bodies

[01:08:38]: Expansion of artist community in the '80s

[01:10:19]: Generative art and its evolution

[01:13:47]: Creativity & the Chicago video game industry

[01:17:05]: Influence of Silicon Graphics on commercial graphics

On February 1, 2024, Le Random collaborated with Joyn to host and present a community celebration of Genuary. Genuary is a generative art month, during which artists create daily pieces according to 31 carefully selected prompts.

We invited some very special artists as guests, including the organizer of the event itself, Piter Pasma. We asked the artists about their experience participating in Genuary 2024 and more. The talk is in conjunction with an article Peter Bauman (Monk Antony) wrote on Joyn.xyz, where he curated and shared his thoughts on his 10 favorite Genuary prompts.

Hosts: Aleksandra Art (Joyn), Peter Bauman⁠ (Content at Le Random), thefunnyguys (Co-Founder of Le Random), Conrad House (Nemo Cake, Collecting at Le Random) and Andrea (Crown & Palette at Joyn)

Arists: Piter Pasma, Ella, Darien Brito, Ahmad Moussa