Art and Code: The Aesthetic Legacy of Aldo Giorgini
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Abstract/Summary/Introduction:
In 1975 Aldo Giorgini developed a software program in FORTRAN called FIELDS, a numerical visual laboratory devoted entirely to art production. Working extensively as both artist and scientist, Giorgini was one of the first computer artists to combine software writing with early printing technologies, leaving an aesthetic legacy in the field of the digital arts. His individual process was innovative in that it consisted of producing pen-plotted drawings embellished by the artist’s hand with painting, drawing, and screen-printing. This paper is the product of a multi-year study of Giorgini’s primary source materials provided by his estate. The authors examine the methods used by Giorgini during the 1970s that allowed him to create computer-aided art, in the hope that publishing this work will ensure that future generations of digital artists, technologists and scientists can be educated in Giorgini’s contribution to the history of the digital arts.
References:
1. M. Giorgini, Aldo Giorgini: 1934–1994. Unpublished manuscript.
2. Faculty and Staff, Giorgini, Aldo Vertical File, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue Libraries. Accessed October 2009.
3. A. Burbano, “Between Punched Film Stock and the First Computers: The Work of Konrad Zuse” (2010).
4. P. Trachtman, “Charles Csuri Is an ‘Old Master’ in a New Medium.” Retrieved December 8, 2010 from www.siggraph.org/artdesign/profile/csuri/index.html.
5. C. Csuri, “Charles Csuri,” Artist and Computer, R. Leavitt, ed. (New York: Creative Computing Press, 1976) 85–87.
6. A. Giorgini and W.C. Chen, Interfaces, Computer-aided Art: The Program FIELDS (West Lafayette, IN: School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1974) 3.
7. Ibid., p.4.
8. Ibid., p.3.
9. C. Reas, C. McWilliams, and J. Barendse, Form and Code in Design, Art, and Architecture (New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2010) 21.
10. C. Reas,“{Software} Structures” (2004). Retrieved December 8, 2010, from artport.whitney.org/ commissions/softwarestructures/text.html.
11. G. Garrells, ed., Sol LeWitt: A Retrospective (London: Yale University Press, 2000).
12. A. Giorgini, “Computer Art Symposium at Purdue” [tape recording ] (Lafayette, IN: Aldo Giorgini’s personal collection, March 24, 1975).
13. A. Giorgini and W.C. Chen, Interfaces, Computer aided Art: The Program FIELDS (West Lafayette, IN: School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1974) 1.
14. Ibid., p.5.
15. A. Giorgini, “Aldo Giorgini,” Artist and Computer, R. Leavitt, ed. (New York: Creative Computing Press, 1976) 9–12.
16. A. Giorgini and W.C. Chen, Interfaces, Computer aided Art: The Program FIELDS (West Lafayette, IN: School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1974) 6.
17. Ibid., p.2.
18. M. A. Giorgini, personal communication, October 23, 2010.
19. L. Livermore, “My Last Column for Maximum Rocknroll,” Maximum Rocknroll, No. 133 (April 1994).
20. A. Giorgini and W.C. Chen, Interfaces, Computer aided Art: The Program FIELDS (West Lafayette, IN: School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 1974) 4.
