Generative Art Timeline · Chapter 5: Artist-Programmer Era (1970s)
1974
Frieder Nake Publishes Ästhetik als Informationsverarbeitung (Aesthetics as Information Processing)
According to Herbert W. Franke, this was “probably the most important book [on early computer art].” The book aimed to relate the Information Aesthetics of Max Bense and Abraham Moles to Computer graphics.
Text by Peter Bauman. Generative Art Timeline, Le Random, fact-checked September 2026.
Sources
People
Abraham Moles, Frieder Nake, Herbert W. Franke, Max Bense
Movements
computer art, information aesthetics
Filed under
- Ideas
- aesthetics, early computer art
- Technologies
- computer art, computer graphics, Processing
- People
- Abraham Moles, Frieder Nake, Herbert W. Franke, Max Bense
- Works
- Abraham, Ästhetik als Informationsverarbeitung
- Exhibitions
- Information
Related moments
- 1966 · Information Theory and Esthetic Perception by Abraham Moles
- 1954 · Max Bense Begins Publishing Aesthetica
Echoes across time
- 1954 · Max Bense Begins Publishing Aesthetica
- 1958 · Theorie de l’information et perception esthetique (Information Theory and Esthetic Perception) by Abraham A. Moles
- 1994 · Information Landscapes by Muriel Cooper
Le Random editorials
- Frieder Nake on “Machinic” Miracles, Peter Bauman, July 10, 2024
- Gottfried Jäger on a New Kind of Being, Anika Meier, March 2, 2026
- Hans Ulrich Obrist on Exhibitions as Living Organisms, Peter Bauman, September 1, 2025
- A. Michael Noll on When It All Started, A. Michael Noll, March 25, 2025
Le Random podcast
- Interview with Frieder Nake — listen with transcript on Le Random (16 Jul 2024, 41 min). Featuring Frieder Nake. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Timeline Ch 3—Analog Era (1950s) with Georg Bak — listen with transcript on Le Random (10 Aug 2023, 65 min). Transcript mentions Frieder Nake. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Timeline Ch 4—Digital Era Pt II (1960s) with Michael Spalter — listen with transcript on Le Random (21 Sep 2023, 77 min). Transcript mentions Frieder Nake. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Timeline Ch 5—Artist-Programmer Era (1970s) with Joan Truckenbrod, Hans Dehlinger & Anika Meier — listen with transcript on Le Random (14 Jan 2024, 65 min). Chapter 5’s episode. Apple Podcasts · Spotify