Calculations and Coincidences

Calculations and Coincidences brings together three pioneers of algorithmic art; Vera Molnár, Dóra Maurer and Gizella Rákóczy through their works from the Hungarian National Bank Collection. The exhibition focuses primarily on the profound influence of Molnar, who was unquestionably among the most significant names in computer art, while tracing how the artistic explorations of Maurer and Rákóczy have expanded the boundaries of abstraction through the integration of algorithms and mathematics.

The publication accompanying the exhibition features Kinga Rózsa Hamvai's curatorial text and Kerem Ozan Bayraktar's essay, "I Love Order but I Can't Stand It," which takes its title from Vera Molnár's words. Bayraktar's text explores Molnár's practice alongside the historical context of algorithmic art. The publication also includes interviews conducted by Hans Ulrich Obrist with artists Vera Molnár and Dóra Maurer, as well as Gizella Rákóczy's article, "Four-Armed Spirals," which reflects on her own practice. Finally, Jon McCormack, Oliver Bown, Alan Dorin, Jonathan McCabe, Gordon Monro, and Mitchell Whitelaw address generative computer art through a series of ten questions.

Publication Date: 2024
Number of Pages: 168
ISBN: 978-625-94734-3-7

5 Foreword
Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation

7 Centenarians’ Club
Central Bank of Hungary

23 Calculations and Coincidences
Kinga Rózsa Hamvai 

41 I love order but I can’t stand it
Kerem Ozan Bayraktar 

59 Interview: Vera Molnár
Hans Ulrich Obrist

93 Interview: Dóra Maurer
Hans Ulrich Obrist 

127 Four-armed Spirals
Gizella Rákóczy

143 Ten Questions Concerning Generative Computer Art
Jon McCormack, Oliver Bown, Alan Dorin, Jonathan Mccabe, Gordon Monro, Mitchell Whitelaw

Calculations and Coincidences

Calculations and Coincidences brings together three pioneers of algorithmic art; Vera Molnár, Dóra Maurer and Gizella Rákóczy through their works from the Central Bank of Hungary Collection. The exhibition focuses primarily on the profound influence of Molnar, who was unquestionably among the most significant names in computer art, while tracing how the artistic explorations of Maurer and Rákóczy have expanded the boundaries of abstraction through the integration of algorithms and mathematics.

Calculations and Coincidences