1984 Micro Arts curated sets – designated MA# – had about 7 artworks on each, and were distributed on data cassettes. Artists were Geoff Davis (MA1, MA2) and Martin Rootes (MA3).
All art was generated code animations, please view the videos below. STORY GENERATOR has its own page.
The videos below have no sound.
For more details on each piece, see the MA software pages. Click on the software title for more information.
Interested in text generation? Visit MA4 Story Generator.
MA1 ” Abstract Originals”
Geoff Davis 1984
MA1 ‘Abstract Originals’ – Geoff Davis 1984 (7 generative art pieces)
This was 7 generated art displays (below). Each one used a different method to create the animations.
There is one other ‘art’ piece included on MA2 Various Unusual Events – Piano Bar. This used a different graphic method. (MA2 was a compilation of conceptual pieces, so it included an unusual graphic animation too.)
MA1 ‘Abstract Originals’ – #3
MA1 ‘Abstract Originals’ – #1
MA2 Various Unusual Events
Geoff Davis 1984
MA2 Various Unusual Events – Geoff Davis 1984 (6 conceptual and art pieces)
Collection of 6 conceptual challenges. Computer art seemed very serious so these pieces lampoon various types of computer art, which even in 1984 had been around for ages.
The Money Work System (character animation, Valerie Solanas, UBI).
Minimal – slow art – 2 years to finish. First ‘Pixel Art’ – art referencing pixels. At the time, this was ‘state of the art’ for home computers. Only later ‘pixel art’ was labelled as a retro nostalgic genre. Also an early example of environmental or slow (long term) art.
Piano Bar (player piano, also inspired by weaving) – a graphic example. This was released by Expanded Art in 2023.
There were other pieces on MA2, not shown here.
Studio (abstract/figurative animation with feet and beeps);
Carry On Computing (math art);
Dada word generator.
Visit this page or more on MA2
MA3 Martin Rootes Volume One
Martin Rootes 1984; curated Geoff Davis.
MA3 Martin Rootes Vol. 1 1984 (5 generative art pieces)
MA3 art show reel also see single pieces below.
Texture and Pattern
Runner
MA4 Story Generator
Geoff Davis 1985 (cassette and Prestel teletext distribution)
An “early precursor of ChatGPT” Georg Bak, historian. Has been exhibitied in Leicester, London, Zurich and Essen Germany, from 1985 to 2024.
MA4 – Cow Boils Head text story generator – Geoff Davis 1985
Several runs of the story text generator. This was a procedural story generator PSG. Visit the the MA4 page for the original short story and several runs of the generator.