Galanter Defines Generative Art

In his seminal text from over twenty years ago, Galanter asks and answers, “What is Generative Art?” in the must-read essay for anyone interested in generative art: “What is Generative Art? Complexity Theory as a Context for Art Theory.”

This is the essay that nearly everyone cites when defining generative art. This author’s own definition is highly influenced by Galanter. Galanter spoke to this author (Peter Bauman) about his enduring definition two decades later for a piece on Le Random Editorials.

Here is Galanter’s iconic definition in full:

“Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist uses a system, such as a set of natural language rules, a computer program, a machine, or other procedural invention, which is set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a completed work of art.”

In other words, it is: Art using autonomous systems.

The essay goes on to explore generative art through the lens of complexity scienceGalanter explains how generative art integrates principles from complexity theory, showing that systems range from highly ordered to highly disordered, with generative art often embodying a mixture of both. By situating generative art within this framework, he offers a broad historical perspective—much as this Timeline aims to—revealing that generative processes have been intrinsic to art-making throughout history, from ancient geometric patterns to contemporary digital and algorithmic methods. This comprehensive view not only clarifies the definition of generative art but also highlights its pervasive influence across diverse artistic domains. The view was also highly influential on this author, as this first moment on our Timeline attests to.