Le Random

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/dr-nancy-perloff-on-experiments-in-art-and-technology-e-a-t

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.

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/timeline-chapter-10-on-chain-era-2020s

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. The artists explore themes like the rise of AI, NFTs, and the increased institutional interest in digital art, proposing names for the decade such as the "Normalization Era" or "Digital Dramaturgy Era."McCarthy and Lozano-Hemmer discuss the dual nature of technology, highlighting both its empowering and its potentially oppressive aspects, while stressing the importance of community and critical engagement.Erick Calderon and Itzel Yard emphasize the positive communal and creative impacts of digital platforms like Art Blocks and the significance of making art accessible through modern technology.We conclude with reflections on the growing acceptance of digital art by institutions, the importance of preserving digital art, and the powerful role of art in understanding and navigating contemporary life.

Chapters 📖:

00:00:00 Introduction to Final Chapter Release Discussion

00:02:01 Future Timeline Discussions and Cross-Generational Plans

00:03:39 Generative Art Timeline's Completion and Future Plans

00:05:21 Themes of the 2020s in Digital Art

00:07:07 Introduction of Guest Artists and Their Achievements

00:10:03 Naming the 2020s Decade in Digital Art

00:17:34 Participation’s Role in Digital Art

00:28:20 Artists’ Perspectives on Technology and Art

00:51:51 Positive Trends in Digital Art and Museum Engagement

01:01:42 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/timeline-chapter-9-ai-era-2010s-with-tyler-hobbs-helena-sarin-and-rhea-myers

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. Our guests today are some of the artists and thinkers who lived art history in the 2010s. They are Tyler Hobbs, Helena Sarin, Rhea Myers, and Gene Kogan. Join us as we discuss digital expression in a decade of major trends such as AI's rise and the invention of NFTs.

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/interview-with-frieder-nake

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 Introduction to Frieder Nake and his contributions to digital art

02:32 Computers and the concept of quality vs quantity

03:26 Quantity turning into quality

05:31 Pattern recognition and discovery of new quality

07:07 Connection to Max Bense's Generative Aesthetics

09:13 Intuition versus machine randomness

12:15 Creativity, emotion and the role of intuition

24:53 AI and human choices in art

38:23 Alienation and creativity in artistic expression

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/timeline-chapter-8-tooling-era-2000s

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

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/timeline-chapter-7-net-era-1990s

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 📖:

00:00:00 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

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/one-year-of-le-random

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

• 36 Points by Sage Jensen & seeds of seeds by Entangled Others
• Polygona Nervosa by Golan Levin
• RGB Elementary Cellular Automaton #1 by ciphrd
• Mondrian by Herbert W. Franke

-One year of LR: Our favorite editorial pieces

• Demystifying Generative Aesthetics by Peter
• Demystifying Generative Art by Peter
• AGH on Glorifying the Computer by Peter
• Il(Lumina)ting Marfa by Nathaniel Stern
• Zach Lieberman on the Resonance of Generative Art by Peter

-One year of LR: Our favorite moments

-Our current thoughts on the market

-Questions from the audience

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/timeline-chapter-6-personal-computer-era-1980s

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

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/celebrating-genuary-with-piter-pasma

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

Episode page and full transcript: https://www.lerandom.art/episodes/timeline-chapter-5-artist-programmer-era-1970s

Generative Art in the 1970s and Today

Join hosts Peter Bauman (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monk Antony⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Content at Le Random), Anika Meier (Expanded Art) and Conrad House (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nemo Cake⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Collecting at Le Random), as they welcome generative art legends Joan Truckenbrod and Hans Dehlinger to discuss the 1970s in generative art.

The episode is released to celebrate Chapter 5 of our Generative Art Timeline, covering the decade of the '70s.