Visionary artist and computer art pioneer Charles Csuris’ “Random War 1967-2022” project, is a visual evolution throughout his artistic career starting with Csuri’s generative images from the 60’s to present as he developed creative tools for 3d computer graphics and animation until his passing in 2022. As a World War II decorated veteran, the war profoundly influenced Csuris’ digital imagery. The iconic Random War 1967 has been featured in the ground breaking art and technology exhibition “Cybernetic Serendipity” 1968, London, and currently at LACMAs Coded Art enters the Computer Age 1952-1982

In the original plotter printed image, “Csuris’ hand drawn red and black soldiers modeled after children’s green soldiers of the 40’s where coded to be positioned, scaled and rotated by a random number generator as they were distributed across the battlefield far into the distance to simulate 3D. Soldiers are shown standing, falling or even assembled in piles. In some instances, soldiers from the same side point their guns at each other suggesting the chaotic and nonsensical nature of war. Serial numbers and names representing the United States Army, stretch across the upper register. The lists indicate which soldiers have died, which were wounded, which remain missing, and which survive. One hero is recognized on each side and is listed above the medals awarded for valor, good conduct, and efficiency.

“ Random War, arguably one of the most important works of the twentieth century, stands at the convergence of Csuris’ life experiences and the American social upheaval that dominated the late 1960s. While the Vietnam War raged in Southeast Asia, antiwar sentiments divided the country. Generations of Americans struggled against each other at unprecedented levels. Technology was enthusiastically embraced in suburban households and touted by many as the savior of countless social and medical ills.

Simultaneously, many perceived it as a demonic force that introduced chaos, depersonalizing and degrading human beings. To many in the art community, creating art with a computer was an act of evil in itself.

Csuri was uniquely poised to conceive and render an aesthetic object of this scale and significance. A soldier and decorated veteran of World War II’s Battle of the Bulge, Csuri knew the battlefield and the horrors of war. As a fine artist, he understood the conceptual power of visual communication and the aesthetic object. As one naturally skilled in interdisciplinary collaboration, he could harness the computer’s potential and use it to advance the art world.”

Random War 1967 was also considered to be a foreshadowing of the computer game. In 1990 Csuri’s Random War was featured in ZKM Museum, Germany as a artistic interactive game where the soldiers random outcome was of family and friends. For the current Random War image transform, Csuri’s artistic journey is expressed by combining his past and more current Random War images. This theme had a profound artistic impact throughout Csuri’s career. Caroline Csuri working closely with her father for over a decade is bringing his vision to life.

The integrity of the original Random War 1967, historic font, battle categories/columns, and his plotter red and black 2D drawn soldiers remain as well as recognizable names Csuri identified in 1960’s. In Random War 1967-2022 we recognize pioneers by adding their names as important in drawing attention to this historic, important, digital art movement. In addition, we have added current digital artists (with permission) particularly women and people of color as a tribute to their advancing the generative art movement as well as digital art curators and creative coders. Examples: Herbert Franke, Jasia Reichardt, Snofro, Casey Reas, Dmitri Cherniak, Tyler Hobbs, Grant Yun, IX.Shells, Sasha Stiles, Monica Rizzoli, Krista Kim etc. Also people who have advanced the NFT art space and Web3. Further we have added more current politicians and other people my Csuri followed since it’s in character with his original direction.

In Random War 1967-2022, the generative program will randomly place not only the original 2D soldiers and original Font used of Soldiers names and rank, but select Csuri 3D soldiers’ renderings throughout the decades of Csuri’s artistic career. Special artistic attention has been given to the coded juxtaposition of the historic soldiers with Csuris’ more current renderings. Each NFT will be random and unique. There will be a chance random rendering of base 2D soldiers black/green 30%, Red/green 20% and red/black 50%.

Note: this project has the flexibility of additional names. Chuck enlisted me to find important people other than ones we originally identified.

This tribute is building upon my father’s legacy by continuing to advance this important digital art movement. Chuck wanted to participate in the Web 3 space with NFTs in this crucial concept that originated with the groundbreaking pioneers.