Lars Wander

Lars Wander is a computer artist and programmer from Germany who is now based in New York City. His creative path started at a young age, first through drawing, then through experimenting with home camcorders and recording his own music after years of guitar lessons. Photography was another discipline he engaged with, focusing on street scenes and life in New York.  During the pandemic, Wander began working with pen plotters, developing systems that translated code into physical drawings. This process became a turning point, ultimately leading to his transition into generative art. He holds a degree in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University and previously worked at Google, where he developed visualization software to interpret the dynamics of global-scale storage systems.

Lars Wander’s work is deeply rooted in computational systems that investigate the dynamic interplay between algorithmic structure and human perception. His practice emphasizes exploring how controlled rules and processes can generate complex, often unpredictable visual forms that challenge traditional boundaries between digital and physical media. Wander continually experiments with ways to translate code into sensory experiences, whether through digital abstractions, physical plotter drawings, or interactive AI-driven projects. His approach often involves meticulous technical research, such as modeling pigment behavior using spectral data or systematically enumerating all possible states of a system, highlighting both the possibilities and limitations inherent in generative art. Notable examples of his work include the how you see me series, which simulates realistic paint mixing to create richly layered digital images, and the Meme Machine, an AI-powered interactive project presented during his 2023 Pace Verso residency.

His art has reached audiences worldwide through both digital and physical venues. His projects have appeared in Poetics of the Infinite with Art Blocks, Bright Moments Venezia, and Paris Photo with Nguyen Wahed, alongside shows with Proof, Venus Over Manhattan, Tonic, and The Generative Art Museum. He has also participated in major art fairs such as Art Basel Miami, SCOPE Miami, and Berlin GenArt Month. At the heart of Wander’s practice is the translation of code into visual forms. His art offers a way to experience complexity through careful design and thoughtful execution.