Generative Art Timeline · Chapter 1: Pre-Modern Era (Pre-1850)
24,000 BCE
Oldest Evidence of Basket Weaving
Oldest known evidence of basket weaving dates back to c. 24,000 BCE. Impressions of weaving on fired clay found in Moravia, Central Europe, predating settled life. Some studies suggest the practice could be much older and origins of the practice are unclear. This algorithmic process is widely considered a generative practice, for example, by Nettrice Gaskins. This ancient practice continues to inspire artists to this day.
Text by Peter Bauman. Generative Art Timeline, Le Random, fact-checked September 2026.
Sources
People
Movements
Material Generative Art, textiles
Filed under
- Ideas
- craft, generative art
- Technologies
- algorithms, basket weaving, weaving
- People
- Nettrice Gaskins
- Places
- Europe, Moravia
Echoes across time
- 1987 · Red Ridge by Karen Guzak
- 1958 · A. P. Rich Writes Program for the Design of Wave Patterns for Textiles
- 1968 · "On the Path to Computer Art” by the Parallel Group
Le Random editorials
- Ten Moments in South American Generative Art History, Peter Bauman, November 15, 2023
Le Random podcast
- Timeline Ch 2—Modern Era with Kate Vass — listen with transcript on Le Random (20 Jul 2023, 58 min). Transcript mentions weaving. 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). Transcript mentions weaving. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- New York Frieze Week—Michael Connor, Regina Harsanyi & Karyn Nakamura with Peter Bauman — listen with transcript on Le Random (12 May 2026, 47 min). Transcript mentions weaving. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Timeline Ch 1—Pre-Modern Era with Marius Watz — listen with transcript on Le Random (06 Jul 2023, 46 min). Chapter 1’s episode. Apple Podcasts · Spotify