Manfred Mohr
Early Life and Education
Manfred Mohr was born in 1938 in Pforzheim, Germany. He studied at the Kunst und Werke Akademie in Stuttgart, where he developed an interest in abstract expressionism and jazz. He moved to Paris in 1963, where he continued his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts.
Career
Mohr started his career as an action painter and jazz musician. However, his artistic direction changed dramatically after he discovered the book "Computer und Form" by Max Bense and Frieder Nake in 1967. This book introduced him to the idea of using algorithms and computers to create art, leading him to become one of the pioneers of computer art.
In 1969, Mohr began to work with the computer-driven plotter, a device that allowed him to draw complex geometric shapes with precision. He developed a series of works based on the cube, which he called the "hypercube". His work with the hypercube has been a central theme in his art, exploring the possibilities of this geometric shape in various dimensions.
In 1971, Mohr had his first solo exhibition at the ARC - Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, becoming the first artist to have a solo exhibition of computer-generated art.
Mohr's work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Artistic Style and Influence
Mohr's work is characterized by its strict adherence to the use of algorithms and geometric shapes, particularly the cube and its multidimensional extension, the hypercube. His work is often black and white, reflecting his interest in the binary nature of computer programming.
Mohr's influence on the field of computer art is significant. His work has inspired many artists to explore the use of technology in their own art, and his contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.
Awards and Honors
Over the course of his career, Mohr has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of computer art. These include the Golden Plotter Award at the Computer Art Festival in Gladbeck, Germany, and the [ACM SIGGRAPH|ACM SIGGRAPH] Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art.
Personal Life
Mohr lives and works in Paris, France. He continues to explore the possibilities of computer art, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with algorithms and geometric shapes.