Micro Arts History 1984–85 Computer Generated Art and Stories: Computational art and story generators from the 1980s micro computer scene

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Computer art always seems new, exciting and scary. "Micro Arts has produced some stunningly original work." Personal Computer World 1985. "The alternative society is still throbbing at Micro Arts." Sinclair User 1985. 1980s originators Micro Arts released many art compilations on cassettes, such as generative abstract art, story text generators ('Cow Boils Head'), SCUM Manifesto feminist animation, Duchamp animations, slow art and math/data art. All of the art programs, and many articles from the Micro Arts print magazine, were placed on Prestel teletext in 1985, so the software could be downloaded nationally from a TV set. Micro Arts artists also created video titles for clubs like Manchester's Hacienda, Sheffield's Leadmill, and Network21, the infamous late night pirate TV channel featuring icons like Leigh Bowery, Body Map and the London alternative fashion scene. "I think this period is something of a lost era in digital art. It's definitely a good idea to be engaging with it." Sean Clark, Computer Arts Society, Fellow BCS 2019 A mix of art, new technology, the club scene, and education, Micro Arts was an exciting part of the computer democratisation of the 1980s. This illustrated book is an illuminating and informative look into the 1980s micro computer scene, with the arrival of the all-new Sinclair ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, Apple Macintosh, the IBM PC, alongside a gaudy and extrovert visual culture. The book has images from the unique art programs and a detailed history of Micro Arts, a full copy of the first and only edition of the print magazine, and contemporary reviews and context. There is also a gallery of stills from the many generative computer art programs. "Inspiring. All worth thinking about and testing for yourself." A&B Computing 1985. About the author: Geoff Davis, founder, has a Masters in Electronic Arts from Middlesex University. He later taught at the London University of the Arts and Sheffield Psalter Lane Art College, and worked at Nesta, the UK's innovation charity, and extensively in the web industry. He is a PEN International published author, and has written and released music with Ian Burden of the Human League. With reviews from Martin Rootes, Robin Metcalfe, Bruno de Florence and Michèle Gauthier Carr-Brown.

Other books by Geoff Davis

About the author

Geoff Davis

Geoff Davis MA has had several fiction books published, starting with an appearance in a PEN New Fiction collection in 1984 with ‘African Story’. These various printed books will be republished as ebooks in 2019-20.

He is a researcher at the University of the Arts London (UAL) Creative Computing Institute. The topic is AI and text generation, with various outputs. This follows his 1985 computer program ‘Cow Boils Head’, and his MA work at Middlesex University on zooming and multi-layered texts, ‘Calm As A Dead Clam’. Now (2019) he is researching computers and text art at the Creative Computing Institute (CCI) at University of the Arts London.