Experiments in Electrostatics:
Photocopy Art from the Whitney’s
Collection, 1966–1986

In 1966 Robert Whitman cofounded the collective Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) with Robert Rauschenberg, Billy Klüver, and Fred Waldhauer. Together they fostered collaboration between artists, engineers, and scientists on projects that incorporated emerging technologies, such as video projection, wireless audio, and computer software.

Independently from E.A.T., Whitman used the new technology of the color copier to produce the prints on display here. He placed orange slices directly on the machine’s flat bed, utilized an assortment of papers and fabrics as backgrounds, and adjusted the saturation, contrast, and exposure settings to achieve a rich variety of hues.

These works were installed as part of an earlier version of the exhibition.