Tony Robbin

 

Tony Robbin is a pioneer in the computer visualization of four-dimensional geometry. Since 1981, his realtime rotation programs of four-dimensional figures have been useful for obtaining an intuitive feel for four-dimensional space, and quasicrystal space. He has melded influences as diverse as Cubism and contemporary physics into his artworks. In his work below, Drawing 53, Tony projects various cubes and four dimensional objects with a great sense of depth. The cubes and four dimensional objects are shown flying off of the canvas.

 

The concept that I believe Tony is playing with is the idea of new age art and new medias for art. Art had always been considered a formal subject and with the use of computer assisted drawing, art becomes more of a language that must be studied. One may have an idea in their head of what they want to draw, but then the lines and sketches must be converted into computer programming language. He also involves computer generated images of the fourth dimension which shows a sense of wonder and awe. People cannot imagine the fourth dimension very well because all of life is in the third dimension. Showing the fourth dimension in only a three dimensional space is the equivalent of trying to draw a cube on a piece of paper. The general idea can be expressed, but the actual shape and view from all sides cannot be shown. Another idea is that he could be showing how when translating from one language to another, information can be lost or misconstrued. Converting from drawing, to computer programing, and back to drawing can lead to some areas where information is lost or chaotic.

Some critiques of Tony Robbin's artwork can be voiced, but there are not many. All of the artwork is either painted or drawn on a canvas. Because it was made on a computer, perhaps the artwork should remain on the computer and be put online. Also, many of his artworks look the same. there are the colorful cubes and objects, with thousands of lines in the background. In a few of his drawings and paintings, there could only be the background lines, or only the colorful cubes and objects.