Artwork
Analog-Grafik P2 (Pendular Oscillogram)
Analog-Grafik P2 (Pendular Oscillogram) is a print by Herbert W. Franke. It dates from 1970 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Herbert W. Franke turned math into art in 1970. He used an old-school computer and a tiny screen to make images. His prints look like tangled, wavy lines.
He worked in the dark. He moved his camera while taking photos to blur and spread the lines. That made his “pendular oscillograms” stand out.
Check out more works by Franke, Herbert W.
Overview
Analog-Grafik P2 (Pendular Oscillogram) is a print created by Herbert Franke using an innovative, pre-digital technique. Combining an analogue computer with a cathode-ray oscillograph, Franke generated unique, abstract images characterized by blurred, wavy lines.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Analog-Grafik P2 is the visual representation of mathematical plane curves, transformed into an artistic expression through Franke's experimental process. The meaning lies in the intersection of mathematics, technology, and aesthetic innovation.
Technique & Style
Franke's technique involved calculating curves with a custom-built analogue device, displaying them on a small cathode-ray oscillograph screen, and then photographing the output in a darkened room with intentional camera movement to achieve distinctive, blurred line patterns.
History & Provenance
Created between 1955 and 1956, Analog-Grafik P2 was later reproduced as a silkscreen print for exhibition at the 1970 Venice Biennale, marking a notable moment in its public presentation and recognition.
Context
Produced in the mid-20th century, this work reflects the early experimentation at the crossroads of art, mathematics, and emerging electronic technologies, predating widespread digital art practices.
Legacy
Analog-Grafik P2 contributes to the history of computer-generated art, demonstrating pioneering techniques in translating mathematical and technological processes into visual art, influencing subsequent generations of digital artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
