Random War

A random number generator was created to produce battle scenarios for Random War, using Csuri’s drawing of a toy soldier as the data set–much like today’s strategy-based video games.
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 and a commentary on war.

“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.”

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