For Sweeden with the Time

1974

23.5"x31"

Description

After the censorship of his 1968 poster _Hash Girl_s, Sture Johannesson was blacklisted from exhibiting in Swedish institutions. Cut off from the art world, he began working with computers as a way to continue his creative journey. In 1969 he contacted IBM Sweden to ask what equipment could be used to make drawings, leading to a collaboration with programmer Sten Kallin.

In 1974, they created For Sweden with the Times using an IBM 1130 computer and Calcomp plotter. The serigraph is divided into three vertical panels, each bearing a large section sign (§)—a symbol used to denote a specific part of legal text—in varying densities. A white border carries the title in Swedish, English, German, and French, followed by “Carl XVI Gustaf,” the name of the Swedish king.

Printed in the colors of the Swedish flag, the work joins a national palette with symbols of law and governance. The section sign echoes legal language, while the royal motto—adopted in 1973—situates the image within the framework of state identity. Seen within Johannesson’s broader practice, For Sweden with the Times continues his examination of state authority through image-making.

Computed Art. Beraeknad konst. by Sture Johannesson, 1974

Computed Art. Beraeknad konst. Sture Johannesson1974 Book

Image Handling Facility Edition IBM Malino by Sture Johannesson, 1989

Image Handling Facility Edition IBM Malino Sture Johannesson1989 Print

Aros is Aros is Aros by Sture Johannesson, 1989

Aros is Aros is Aros Sture Johannesson1989 Print

IBM Publishing IVX, La Hulpe by Sture Johannesson, 1990

IBM Publishing IVX, La Hulpe Sture Johannesson1990 Print

Chip Shadow Sture Johannesson1981 Print

Chip Challenge by Sture Johannesson, 1981

Chip Challenge Sture Johannesson1981 Print

Untitled Sture Johannesson1993 Print

Computer Paragraph by Sture Johannesson, 1972

Computer Paragraph Sture Johannesson1972 Print