Charles Csuri “Random War”, 1967

A random number generator was created to produce Csuri’s “Random War” generated battle scenarios, using his drawing of a toy soldier as the data set. Much like today’s strategy-based video games. In Csuri’s commentary on war, each soldier was automatically assigned a name and rank and was randomly placed in a battle outcome as dead, wounded, missing, surviving, and medals of valor. This image is an iconic, poignant example of pioneering generative art.

“Arguably one of the most important works of the twentieth century, stands at the convergence of Csuri’s life experiences and the American social upheaval that predominated at the time of creation. While the Vietnam War raged in South-east Asia, antiwar sentiments divided the country. Generations of Americans struggled against each other a unprecedented levels. Technology was enthusiastically embraced in suburban house-holds and touted by many as the savior of countless social and medical ills. Simultaneously, many perceived it as a demonic force that introduced chaos, depersonalization, and degrading human beings. to many in the art community, creating art with a computer was an act of evil itself.”

This monumental artwork was featured at the opening of London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts ICA in 1968, “Cybernetic Serendipity” was one of the first international exhibitions devoted to the relationship between the computer and the arts. Artists, mathematicians, engineers, composers, and poets all presented work in what is now seen as a landmark. This revolutionary artwork was one of the first examples of conceptual art and foreshadowed the computer game. It lead Csuri to the continuing theme of randomness, game-like playfulness and innovation in his digital art creation.

While the Vietnam War raged in Southeast Asia, antiwar sentiments divided the country. Generations of Americans struggled against each other at unprecedented levels. Csuri’s use of names underscores and personalizes the randomness and chaos of all wars. Some of the notable names used in this random game include Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Robert F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, James Bond, W.R. Rockefeller, Allen Kaprow, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicolas, James Hoffa, Roy Lictenstein, and George Segal.

Random War, 1967 | Silkscreen on white plexiglass | Dimensions: 106.68 x 243.84 cm ( 41 x 96 in.)