Harm van den Dorpel’s (1981, the Netherlands) practice focuses on systems that are ever-changing and developing in the context of technology. He engages with diverse materials and forms, including works on paper, sculpture, computer-generated graphics, and software, through which the works are continuously evolving, informed by feedback loops and the design of algorithmic systems.
The works in this presentation reflect the artist's deep investigation into generative art, tracing the lineage of his influences. Since 2019, van den Dorpel has focused on the work of pioneering artists like Anni Albers and Vera Molnár, both known for their exploration of two-dimensional grid patterns. His research has uncovered a significant presence of female artists in the field of generative art, prompting him to explore the historical link between the systematic repetition in grid patterns and the craft of weaving, a practice traditionally associated with women.
In his work process, van den Dorpel uses modern algorithms and a plotter to mimic and further develop the aesthetics and methods of his predecessors. A plotter is a device that moves pens or markers over paper along an X-Y axis to produce intricate drawings. Unlike printers, the plotter draws lines in all directions, imbuing the work with an organic quality that exceeds the precision of digital prints. Through its deliberate, mechanical movements, the plotter introduces a sense of human unpredictability into the digital realm, resulting in unique and unrepeatable outcomes.