Pera Film is launching a new film program to accompany the exhibition Calculations and Coincidences, spotlighting the pioneers of algorithmic art—Vera Molnár, Dóra Maurer, and Gizella Rákóczy. The exhibition places a special emphasis on Vera Molnár, a trailblazer in computer art who, in 1968, began using computers to create innovative images that merged technology with artistic expression.
That same year, the iconic sci-fi film 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, hit theaters, exploring the impact of technology on humanity and forever changing the genre. In 1973, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s World on a Wire aired on German television, presenting a surreal take on virtual reality and the human condition, challenging traditional sci-fi narratives. The 1980s saw Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner redefine the boundaries of science fiction with its visionary exploration of technology and identity.
Reflecting the technological shifts of the era when Molnár began her computer-based artwork, Pera Film will screen these three science fiction classics from November 22 to December 22 at the Pera Museum Auditorium. The program will also feature Vera Molnár, plaisir de géométrie, a documentary delving into Molnár’s creative process, and the short film Gizella Rákóczy: Exploring the Depth, showcasing Rákóczy’s artistic journey. This curated lineup highlights the intersection of technological innovation and artistic experimentation, inviting audiences to explore the dynamic relationship between art and science.
