Think of Ivan Moscovich’s harmonograms as the work of a Spirograph toy on an acid trip – elegantly swirling, myriad-coloured ink pens driven by the gravity and precision mathematics of a Heath Robinson-esque analogue computer, conspiring to create beautifully nerdy, sci-fi vectors, azimuths and ellipses.
Moscovich’s creations caused quite a stir when they first appeared as key exhibits at the milestone 'Cybernetic Serendipity' exhibition at London’s ICA in 1968. The world-renowned author, artist and award-winning designer of teaching aids and puzzles had invented and patented the 'Harmonograph of Moscovich', a pens and pendulums machine which could generate infinite graphic configurations via the magic of kinetic technology. As a theory it all sounds rather geeky. On paper, Moscovich’s art is a bonafide modernist’s delight.
An example of Moscovich’s patented harmonographs
Almost 50 years after they first went on show in the capital, London-based art and antiques dealer Henry Saywell is bringing 'Harmonograms of Moscovich' back to town with an exhibition at The Hospital club in Covent Garden.
Now 90 years old and based in San Francisco, Moscovich himself was in attendance at the preview. And he has quite a story to tell. Born to Hungarian parents in the former Yugoslavia, Moscovich lived through the Novi Sad Razzia massacre of World War II, narrowly escaping mass execution at the riverbed of the Danube and then went on to survive Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen.
Following a death march, he spent his final night concealed in among corpses before being liberated by the British Army. After the war, he became the founder, creator, and later Director of the Museum of Science and Technology in Tel Aviv. Moscovich went on to explore his passion for science, writing, inventing, creating brain games, mentally stimulating toys and mind-boggling puzzles. His one-man-machine shows have been displayed at the Berlin Museum of Modern Art, Basel’s Didacta exhibition and the Science Museum Tel Aviv.
Moscovich’s creations caused quite a stir when they first appeared as key exhibits at the milestone ’Cybernetic Serendipity’ exhibition in 1968
INFORMATION
’Cybernetic Art’, in association with Henry Saywell, runs until 29 September. For more information, visit The Hospital club website
ADDRESS
The Hospital Club
24 Endell Street
London WC2H 9HQ
-
The new Tudor Ranger watches master perfectly executed simplicityThe Tudor Ranger watches look back to the 1960s for a clean and legible design
-
This late-night hangout brings back 1970s glam to LA’s Sunset BoulevardGalerie On Sunset is primed for strong drinks, shared plates, live music, and long nights
-
How Memphis developed from an informal gathering of restless creatives into one of design's most influential movementsEverything you want to know about Memphis Design, from its history to its leading figures to the pieces to know (and buy)
-
Out of office: The Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the week'Tis the season for eating and drinking, and the Wallpaper* team embraced it wholeheartedly this week. Elsewhere: the best spot in Milan for clothing repairs and outdoor swimming in December
-
Out of office: The Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekFar from slowing down for the festive season, the Wallpaper* team is in full swing, hopping from events to openings this week. Sometimes work can feel like play – and we also had time for some festive cocktails and cinematic releases
-
The Barbican is undergoing a huge revamp. Here’s what we knowThe Barbican Centre is set to close in June 2028 for a year as part of a huge restoration plan to future-proof the brutalist Grade II-listed site
-
Out of office: The Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekIt’s wet, windy and wintry and, this week, the Wallpaper* team craved moments of escape. We found it in memories of the Mediterranean, flavours of Mexico, and immersions in the worlds of music and art
-
Each mundane object tells a story at Pace’s tribute to the everydayIn a group exhibition, ‘Monument to the Unimportant’, artists give the seemingly insignificant – from discarded clothes to weeds in cracks – a longer look
-
Out of office: The Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekThis week, the Wallpaper* team had its finger on the pulse of architecture, interiors and fashion – while also scooping the latest on the Radiohead reunion and London’s buzziest pizza
-
Out of office: The Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekIt’s been a week of escapism: daydreams of Ghana sparked by lively local projects, glimpses of Tokyo on nostalgic film rolls, and a charming foray into the heart of Christmas as the festive season kicks off in earnest
-
Wes Anderson at the Design Museum celebrates an obsessive attention to detail‘Wes Anderson: The Archives’ pays tribute to the American film director’s career – expect props and puppets aplenty in this comprehensive London retrospective
