Tony Robbin

Tony Robbin is a native Washington DC artist exploring the medium of computer visualizations. His works focus on patterns generated from algorithms. He attempts to show what fourth- dimensional space looks like using combinations of two and three- dimensional forms. The end result echoes the appearance of cubist art work, but with incredibly careful geometric precision. 

Drawing  53, 2004

Early in his art he became a part of the "Pattern and Decoration" movement of the 1970's and 1980's. They aimed to get away from the coldness of the minimalist abstract movement and return to making art that was full of color and forms. One critic, Holland Carter, called the Pattern and Decoration movement “the last genuine art movement of the 20th century, which was also the first and only art movement of the post-modern era and may prove to be the last art movement ever” (New York Times, January 15, 2008). While Robbin was different than many of these artists in the way that he approached the creation and inspiration of his art (he liked to work with precise geometric figures) the end result was more than compatible with what they were trying to create.

Persian, 1973

As he continued his work he developed a patent for the application of quasicrystal structures in architecture, or figures that repeat themselves to fill a space but are not traditionally symmetrical. He also has created programs for "realtime rotation" in four- dimensional space, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in a sense of space that would normally be inconceivable to them.

Robbins art gives another example to the art world that mathematics and art can be joined in a functional and aesthetically pleasing way. His early paintings show a desire to give art guidelines, or an arithmetical exactitude, and his later computer visualizations manage to capture the perfection you can see he strove for. His creativity in merging technology and aesthetics can only grow in popularity as time continues. 

2004- 4, 2004