Roman Verostko and Jean-Pierre Hébert

Roman Verostko and Jean-Pierre Hébert founded “The Algorists,” along with Charles Csuri, Manfred Mohr, Mark Wilson and Ken Musgrave, to form a group based on the mutual adoration of the art that could be produced by algorithms. These were not artists new to the field but were a collection of artists who had dedicated decades, entire careers or lifetimes to the craft. Their work utilized algorithms for both form and social commentary but it was Hébert’s manifesto where he defined the term “algorist,” referring to artists who used algorithmic processes. Beyond plotted work, their influence extends to textiles, games, biological interfaces and experiments with evolutionary forms. It’s no surprise that artists formed around this time as the mid-1990s were marked by the widespread use of computers. In these conditions algorithmic art was flourishing, influencing a wide range of creative disciplines. Hebert and Verostko stand as two of the more under-appreciated pioneers of digital expression yet their legacy continues to this day through this special group.