Cybernetic art

Cybernetic art, a term that first came into prominence in the 1960s, is an art form that incorporates cybernetics, a scientific theory related to systems, control, and communication in animals, machines, and organizations. It represents a departure from traditional artistic concerns, focusing instead on the integration of feedback systems, which reflect the interaction between the work, the viewer, and the surrounding environment. This approach has expanded the boundaries of art, allowing for dynamic, interactive pieces that respond to stimuli such as sound, light, and motion.

A key figure in the development of cybernetic art was Nicolas Schöffer, who, inspired by Norbert Wiener's cybernetic principles, began creating artworks that were interactive and incorporated movement, light, and sound. Schöffer's work 'CYSP 1', created in 1956, is often recognized as the first cybernetic sculpture, acting on its own initiative and interacting with its environment. His later works also explored the concepts of spatiodynamics and chronodynamics, adding the dimension of time to the interplay of light and form.

The 1968 exhibition "Cybernetic Serendipity: The Computer and the Arts" at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London is considered one of the first exhibitions of cybernetic art. It showcased how technology could be used to create art that was not only interactive but also transformative, both for the artist and the viewer. This movement laid the groundwork for many contemporary digital and interactive art forms we see today.

Cybernetic art has had a lasting impact, influencing various artists and leading to new art movements that intersect with digital technology, systems theory, and interactivity. It has evolved to include a range of practices from audio feedback to kinetic sculpture, and even to the early adoption of computers by art students in the United Kingdom, signifying a shift towards systematic and programmatic approaches to art education and creation.