Otto Beckmann

Basic Info

Name: Otto Beckmann
Date of Birth: May 5, 1908
Date of Death: February 13, 1997
Country of Origin: RU

Description

Otto Beckmann, who was a sculptor by education, is counted as one of the pioneers of computer art. “Otto Beckmann’s interaction with his computer was highly personal. He used it in isolation in his studio; the computer was a special tool—an extension of him. He called it an “intelligible tool with dialog properties,” which artificially mirrors part of the artist and shows aspects of a partnership.” [Oberquelle and Beckmann, 2008, p. 29]

Even before beginning to use computers, he used algorithms in his work, developing “a theory of a complete family of forms” [Oberquelle and Beckmann, 2008, p. 22], which he called Denkmaschine (thinking machine). This approach was reconstructed by his son Oskar, who defined the following three layers:

  • Processing layer: computing the basic elements by means of geometric construction
  • Mapping layer: assigning characteristic proportions to the basic elements
  • Composition layer: curve fitting in between

This structure was also used in Beckmann’s famous studio computers, a series of computers Oskar Beckmann build for him starting in 1969, in order to create his artworks. Its development was honored with the “Adolf-Schärf Award for the Advancement of Science” in 1972. Otto Beckmann stated that “The efforts to obtain a different type of computer were motivated on the one hand by his insight that existing computers were not optimal for artistic work and on the other hand by his wish to be independent.” [Ars Intermedia, 1971, p.6, translation quoted from Oberquelle and Beckmann, 2008, p. 23]

“Otto Beckman saw undreamt-of possibilities for art in computer technology, in which he recognised a baroque power to reunite the genres. Since Beckmann had no computer knowledge of his own, he sought exchange with experts. In this context, the Experimental Working Group” ars intermedia “as well as the construction of a hybrid computer by his son” Oskar “gain a high interest.” [Herzogenrath et. al, 2007, p. 310].

In the 1960s, he started to experiment with (ultraviolet and polarized) light. Together with Alfred Graßl he developed pictures on an oscilloscope at the Technical University of Vienna, which they called “electronic computer graphics” [cf. Oberquelle and Beckmann, 2008]. In collaboration with Gerd Koepf Beckmann began experimenting with laser light in the 1970s. At the same time he created “imaginary architecture”, which Oberquelle called “ the zenith of his [Beckmann’s, author’s note] computer art experiments” [Oberquelle and Beckmann, 2008, p. 29]. In 1979 he decided to quit using computers and concentrated on “working with the randomness of objects found in nature and among real artifacts.” [Oberquelle and Beckmann, 2008, p. 29]

-Compart

Explore Artworks By Otto Beckmann

Beschwörer (Summoner)

signed, titled, and dated lower right in print signature etched into plate lower right titled lower left in print handwritten notes lower right corner in graphite artist’s copyright stamp in ink on the reverse of the plate signed in sharpie on the reverse of the plate hardware: A.I. 70 Hybrid Computer output machine: Tektronix 564B […]

Altamira

signature etched into plate lower right title etched into plate lower left handwritten notes lower right corner in graphite artist’s copyright stamp in ink on the reverse of the plate hardware: A.I. 70 Hybrid Computer output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities […]

Elektronische Computergrafik (Electronic Computer Graphic)

signed and dated lower right in print titled lower left in print customs stamp lower right corner hardware: Markov Process Generator built by Alfred Grabi output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of […]

Elektronische Computergrafik (Electronic Computer Graphic)

signed and dated lower right in print titled lower left in print hardware: Markov Process Generator built by Alfred Grabi output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of expression are simultaneously available in […]

Ohne Titel – Elektronische Computergrafik (Untitled – Electronic Computer Graphic)

signature and date etched into plate lower right artist’s copyright stamp in ink on the reverse of the plate hardware: Markov Process Generator built by Alfred Grabi output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various […]

Elektronische Computergrafik (Electronic Computer Graphics)

signed and dated lower right in print titled lower left in print hardware: Markov Process Generator built by Alfred Grabi output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of expression are simultaneously available in […]

Elektronische Computergrafik (Electronic Computer Graphics)

signed and dated in print lower left titled in print lower right hardware: Markov Process Generator built by Alfred Grabi output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of expression are simultaneously available in […]

Elektronische Computergrafik / Entwürfe für Plastiken (Electronic Computer Graphics / Designs for Plastics)

signed, titled, and dated hardware: Markov Process Generator built by Alfred Grabi output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of expression are simultaneously available in one and the same stochastic process. These variation […]

Elektronische Computergrafik (Electronic Computer Graphics)

signed, titled, and dated hardware: Markov Process Generator built by Alfred Grabi output machine: Tektronix 564B Storage Oscilloscope Produced at Institute of Low-Frequency Engineering at the Technical University, Vienna Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of expression are simultaneously available in one and the same stochastic process. These variation […]

“Mime Pure” Elektronische Computergrafik (Electronic Computer Graphics)

signed, titled, and dated hardware: a.i. 70 hybrid computer output machine: oscilloscope Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of expression are simultaneously available in one and the same stochastic process. These variation possibilities include the adjustability of the amplitudes assigned to the states of the process, regulation of the […]

Elektronische Computergrafik (Electronic Computer Graphics)

signed, titled, and dated hardware: a.i. 70 hybrid computer output machine: oscilloscope Through the possibilities offered by the oscilloscope for variation, the various modes of expression are simultaneously available in one and the same stochastic process. These variation possibilities include the adjustability of the amplitudes assigned to the states of the process, regulation of the […]

Laser-Computergrafik (Laser Computer Graphics)

signed, titled, and dated hardware: : a.i.70/71 (hybrid computer) output machine: oscilloscope photographic documentation of a laser beam which was directed through an etched acrylic glass plate They called these works “diffraction images”, which Beckmann recorded as Photographs. For this image, a laser was directed onto a transparent card containing computer-generated information. In this way […]