Olympiad

2000

Description

This print is taken from a 1973 film, also titled Olympiad, created by Lillian Schwartz and Ken Knowlton. In an effort to bring new geometries into Schwartz’s video work, the two computer artists collaborated using an IBM 360/50 computer to create the Explor programming language: a “system for computer-generation of still or moving images from explicitly defined patterns, local operations, and randomness.” Explor generated rectangular arrays of 240-by-340–unit binary black-and-white images which were outputted to microfilm using a Stromberg-Carlson Datagraphics printing machine.

While in the 1973 film the runner—who Schwartz described as “a man made up of octagons”—was shown in motion and with the addition of color, here each frame is depicted in continuous sequence, with the figure cycling through its full range of movements. If multiple copies were placed end-to-end, the runner would extend their efforts indefinitely. Despite their pixelated form, the figure’s movements are still recognizable as originally belonging to the 19th- century photographer Eadweard Muybridge’s famous motion series—another technical innovation that had a profound impact on the art that followed it.

SDL Portfolio Multiple Artists1973 Print

Lillian 2 (Picturephone Self Portrait) by Lillian Feldman Schwartz, 1979

Lillian 2 (Picturephone Self Portrait) Lillian Feldman Schwartz1979 Print

First Transmission by Lillian Feldman Schwartz, 1990

First Transmission Lillian Feldman Schwartz1990 Print

Untitled Self-Portrait by Lillian Feldman Schwartz, 1984

Untitled Self-Portrait Lillian Feldman Schwartz1984 Print

Untitled Ken Knowlton1972 Print

MOMA Poster, 1984 by Lillian Feldman Schwartz, 1984

MOMA Poster, 1984 Lillian Feldman Schwartz1984 Print

Octagons Ken Knowlton1973 Print

EDO Series AI-105 by Lillian Feldman Schwartz, 1989

EDO Series AI-105 Lillian Feldman Schwartz1989 Print