The Hungarian Academy in Rome is currently presenting the exhibition “Vera Molnár: Icône Variations”, a tribute to one of the most illustrious pioneers of digital art, Vera Molnár (Budapest, 1924 – 2023). Curated by Francesca Franco, who was responsible for Molnár’s previous exhibition in Italy, “Icône 2020”, at the Venice Biennale in 2022, “Variazioni Icône” investigates one of the key concepts in Molnár’s artistic career: the search for balance between order and disorder.
From the early plotter drawings of the 1960s, to the fascinating works on canvas and paper of the 1970s, to the 2000s, preparatory sketches, prototypes and the magnificent glass work “Icône 2020”, created in Murano in 2021, the exhibition celebrates Molnár’s work in all its facets. An immersion into the visionary world of Vera Molnár , Icône Variations invites the public to explore the complexity and creative evolution of an icon of digital art, witness to an extraordinary career that continues to inspire and challenge the frontiers of artistic expression.
Vera Molnár has made an extraordinary contribution to contemporary art through her pioneering exploration of the intersection of art and technology, in particular by using the computer as a creative tool. Her work offers a unique perspective on the evolution of artistic expression in the digital age, redefining the very concept of artistic creation. By harnessing algorithms and computational processes to generate works of art that go beyond the limits of the human hand, Molnár introduced an element of controlled randomness and complexity, challenging traditional artistic conventions. Starting in the 1960s, Molnár embraced the computer’s ability to perform complex and repetitive calculations, opening up new creative avenues and embracing collaboration with technology. Using the computer as an extension of her creativity allowed her to explore concepts such as order and disorder in previously unimaginable ways, highlighting the beauty of the unpredictability generated by algorithms and bringing art into a dynamic and ever-evolving dimension.
“Vera Molnár: Icône Variations” celebrates this extraordinary career, highlighting how Molnár has continued to push the conventional boundaries of art. Her ability to use the computer as a tool to amplify creativity has shaped the contemporary art landscape, proving that the algorithm can be as much an art form as traditional brushwork or sculpture. His career has not only marked a milestone in the evolution of contemporary art, but continues to shine and inspire present and future generations.
Molnár embodies the synergy between human creativity and computational potential, opening doors to an as yet unexplored but essential realm in the digital age. Her contribution goes beyond the creation of visually fascinating works; it is an invitation to explore the boundaries of creativity in an increasingly interconnected and technologically advanced world. Vera Molnár not only bears witness to the history of digital art, but with her inexhaustible energy proves that innovation and artistic research can flourish regardless of age in the heart of a constantly evolving field.
On the occasion of the exhibition “Vera Molnár: Icône Variations”, the Academy of Hungary in Rome and the Museo Laboratorio di Arte Contemporanea of the Sapienza University of Rome, are organising a seminar in two afternoons: an opportunity to reflect on themes and topics suggested by the work of the Hungarian artist.
(from the press release)
Vera Molnár: Variazioni Icône, curated by Francesca Franco, Hungarian Academy in Rome, 23.11 – 03.03.2024
Visioni algoritmiche. Dialoghi tra arte, Omage to Vera Molnár: Hungarian Academy in Rome and Museo Laboratorio di Arte Contemporanea at the University Sapienza of Rome, curated by Francesca Franco and Paola Lagonigro. Visit here the website for the complete program of the two days seminar.
