Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by Harold Cohen. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Harold Cohen’s 1990 drawing, produced by a computer algorithm, presents a sequence of simplified human forms. Rendered in black ink on white paper, the work depicts a line of headless, stick‑like figures caught in successive stages of a walking motion, each figure slightly varied from the next.
Subject & Meaning
The piece abstracts the act of locomotion, reducing the human body to its essential kinetic gestures. By omitting heads and facial features, the focus shifts to the mechanics of stride, suggesting a study of movement rather than individual identity.
Technique & Style
Generated through Cohen’s AARON program, the drawing is executed as a computer‑directed line drawing. The composition relies on minimal line work—straight and curved strokes that outline limbs and torso—producing a uniform, graphic aesthetic reminiscent of sequential sketches.
History & Provenance
Created in 1990, the work belongs to the period when Cohen explored algorithmic art using his AARON software. It reflects his ongoing investigation into how machines can autonomously produce visual forms, marking a significant moment in the development of computer‑generated drawing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Harold Cohen was a British-born artist who was noted as the creator of AARON, a computer program designed to produce paintings and drawings autonomously, which set it apart from previous programs.
