Manfred Mohr: From Abstract Expressionism to Algorithmic Art

How one pioneering artist turned mathematical algorithms into a new language of artistic expression.

Manfred Mohr is a trailblazer in the world of digital and algorithmic art. His work embodies a radical transformation, from the visceral, intuitive world of abstract expressionism to the structured, calculated beauty of algorithmic systems. As one of the first artists to embrace the use of computers in creating art, Mohr has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what is possible at the intersection of mathematics, aesthetics, and technology. His work not only challenges traditional notions of art but also opens up new ways of thinking about creativity in the digital age.

Manfred Mohr - P-777 D

The Journey from Abstract to Digital

Mohr’s career began in the realm of traditional art, particularly abstract expressionism, which was dominant during the early 1960s. He was deeply engaged with painting, drawing, and jazz music, and his early works reflect the emotional intensity of the abstract expressionist movement. However, a significant shift occurred in the late 1960s, when Mohr was introduced to the work of French theoretician Max Bense, who proposed that art could be generated using mathematical logic and algorithms.

This exposure marked a turning point in Mohr’s artistic trajectory. He began to view art not merely as a means of personal expression but as something that could be governed by systems, structures, and rules. Mohr’s fascination with geometry and order grew, leading him to explore the use of computers as a tool for generating art. By 1969, Mohr had made the groundbreaking decision to abandon his painterly roots and embrace algorithmic art, creating works that were entirely determined by mathematical processes.

The Birth of Algorithmic Art

Manfred Mohr’s early experiments with computers in the 1970s were revolutionary. He became one of the first artists to use algorithms to generate visual compositions, creating art that was not manually produced but instead derived from code. His work is grounded in the idea that algorithms—strictly defined sets of instructions—can generate infinite possibilities for visual forms. Through a mathematical approach, Mohr discovered new ways to explore abstraction.

One of his most significant early works, P-100, created in 1971, was based on the cube, a shape that became central to his practice. By deconstructing and manipulating the cube through algorithmic processes, Mohr generated intricate, evolving compositions that explored geometry in fresh, surprising ways. This work marked the beginning of his lifelong obsession with the cube and its permutations, setting the stage for decades of algorithmic exploration.

Manfred Mohr - P-100

Mohr’s use of the cube was not random. He was drawn to its mathematical purity, its inherent structure, and the endless possibilities it offered when subjected to algorithmic manipulation. Over the years, Mohr would create hundreds of variations on the cube, each generated by a specific algorithm that determined how the form would be sliced, rotated, and transformed.

Structure and Chance: A Unique Balance

While Manfred Mohr’s work is grounded in the precision of mathematics, it is anything but predictable. One of the most compelling aspects of his art is the tension between structure and chance. Mohr’s algorithms set the rules, but within those rules, there is room for unexpected outcomes. This interplay creates a fascinating dynamic in his work, what may seem like a rigid, logical system is actually a playground for serendipity and surprise.

In many ways, Mohr’s work parallels the ideas of composers like John Cage, who embraced chance and randomness within a structured framework. Just as Cage allowed for unexpected musical moments within his compositions, Mohr lets the algorithms generate unexpected visual results. This balance between control and unpredictability gives his work a sense of organic life, even though it is created by the cold logic of machines.

A New Language of Visual Art

Mohr’s use of the computer is not just a technical process; it represents the creation of a new visual language. Where traditional art relies on the artist’s hand and intuition, Mohr’s algorithmic approach treats art as a set of rules to be explored. In his work, aesthetics emerge from the logic of the algorithm, transforming mathematics into something expressive and emotionally resonant.

Over the years, Mohr has continuously evolved his practice, incorporating new technologies and approaches. He has moved from plotting drawings on early computer printers to generating real-time digital animations and large-scale installations. His work has expanded from the two-dimensional plane into three-dimensional and even four-dimensional spaces, exploring the concept of hypercubes and higher-dimensional geometry.

In recent decades, Mohr has embraced real-time animation in his work, allowing viewers to witness the process of algorithmic art in action. This shift represents a new phase in his career, where the artwork is no longer a static image but a dynamic, evolving system. These real-time pieces bring a new level of engagement, inviting viewers to contemplate the endless possibilities of algorithmic generation.

Breaking Boundaries in the Art World

As one of the pioneers of computer art, Manfred Mohr has paved the way for countless artists working in the digital realm today. His work challenges the traditional boundaries of what art can be, pushing against the notion that art must be created by hand or rely on personal expression. By using the computer as a creative tool, Mohr demonstrates that art can emerge from systems, logic, and even randomness.

Though his work has not always been easily accepted within the traditional art world, Mohr’s influence has grown steadily over the decades. He has exhibited extensively across Europe and the United States, including major shows at the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe. His work is held in the permanent collections of major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Mohr’s impact goes beyond his own creations, he has helped to legitimize digital and algorithmic art as a serious artistic practice. His contributions have opened the door for a new generation of artists who use technology not just as a tool but as a medium for artistic expression.

The Legacy of Manfred Mohr

Manfred Mohr’s legacy is one of innovation, exploration, and a willingness to break away from tradition. His work stands as a testament to the power of mathematics and technology to generate beauty, complexity, and emotion. By embracing the computer as a creative partner, Mohr has reshaped the way we think about art in the digital age.

For those interested in the future of art, Mohr’s work offers a glimpse into the possibilities of algorithmic systems to create art that is both intellectually rigorous and aesthetically compelling. His decades-long dedication to exploring the cube and its permutations reveals the profound depth that can emerge from even the simplest geometric forms when subjected to the infinite possibilities of computation.

In a world where technology often feels disconnected from the human experience, Mohr reminds us that art and technology are not at odds. Instead, they can come together to create something entirely new—a fusion of logic and emotion, structure and chance, that speaks to the complexity of the human condition. Manfred Mohr’s art, at its core, is about finding meaning in the infinite, and in doing so, it opens up endless possibilities for how we understand and create art in the 21st century.

Manfred Mohr’s journey from abstract expressionism to algorithmic art represents a radical shift in the history of modern art. His pioneering use of computers to generate visual compositions has redefined the boundaries of artistic creation, blending mathematics with aesthetics. By using algorithms to explore the geometric possibilities of the cube, Mohr has created a new visual language that balances structure with chance. His work continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of what art can be in a digital world, and his legacy will inspire future generations to explore the creative potential of technology.