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Jean-Pierre Hébert
(1939–2021)

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“Welcome to my website, structured as a simple book.

Turn all its pages (using --next--> or <--previous-- at the top)

Or use the shortcuts (also at the top), to find information about my work and my interests. Enjoy your visit!”

Considered one of the pioneers of digital art, I started experimenting with drawing with a computer in the mid-1970s. From 1984 on, I dedicated myself to the exploration of algorithmic digital drawings. In 1995, I co-founded the Algorists. I coined the word and coded an algorithmic definition of it.

Fascinated by the line, which is the essence of drawing, I have developed a diversity of drawing families using mathematics, geometry, physics and poetry. For each conceptual idea, I write algorithms which my personal software interprets and transforms into a drawing, a visual poem. After discovering John Cage's work, and strongly in tune with his philosophy, my initial obsession with precise line constructions has opened up to chance, motion, light, and text. Since 1999, I create ephemeral installations with sand, water, wind. The aim of my work remains an expression of quiet beauty and peaceful meditation.

Current and recent shows (more on the résumé page):

“Concept Line”, DAM Projects, Berlin, Germany (Feb 4 - Mar 28, 2024)

“Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952-1982”, LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), Curator: Leslie Jones (Feb 12 - Jul 2, 2023) | Catalog

“Art in Code: Pioneers of Computer Art”, RCM Galerie, Paris, France (April 2023) | Catalog (pdf)

“Behind the screens”, CODA Museum, Apeldoorn, Netherlands (Jan 22 - Jun 4, 2023)

“Pioneers of Digital Art in the 1960's and 1970's: at the source of an artistic mutation”, ISEA2023, Paris, France and RCM Galerie, Paris, France (May 2 - Jun 2, 2023) | Catalog (pdf)

“Materialia Lumina: Contemporary Artists' Books from the Codex International Book Fair”, Department of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries (Feb 24 - Aug 28, 2022)

“Saint Somebody, Technologies of the Divine”, Art Vault, Thoma Foundation, Santa Fe, New Mexico (Apr 30, 2021 - Apr 15, 2022)

le dessin c'est un autre emploi de l'écriture, et quand je dessine, j'écris ou peut-être que quand j'écris, je dessine.
(jean cocteau)



creative commons license jean-pierre hébert (24 Oct 2017)

contact: jeanpierrehebert [at] gmail [dot] com