Since the 1950s, New York–based artist Samia Halaby has made abstract paintings inspired by pictorial innovations found throughout history, such as those of Islamic art and architecture and the Russian Constructivist movement of the early 20th century. In 1986 Halaby purchased her first personal computer, the Commodore Amiga 1000. She reflected, “Surely, I should explore computing if indeed I am an artist of my time.”
Halaby began producing digital abstractions, which she named “kinetic paintings.” She created the five examples here during the first few years she worked with the Amiga computer, while teaching herself coding languages Basic and C. Luminous shapes and colors unfold, contract, and pivot across the screens, often accompanied by the chimes and whirls of digital sounds. Through these experiential elements of movement, time, and space, Halaby pushes the language of abstraction beyond the static confines of the canvas.
Organized by Abby Hermosilla, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Curatorial Affairs, with Lydia Mullin, Manager, Collection Galleries, Department of Curatorial Affairs, and Elizabeth Wickham, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Painting and Sculpture.
