Roman Verostko (American, 1929–2024) Frog Jump, 2010
plotter brush-on-paper work (brush only, per the DAM exhibition invitation)
74 × 59 cm
Collection of Bre Pettis
PION.2017.006
Description
Frog Jump, from Roman Verostko's Algorithmic Poetry series, exemplifies the artist's unique fusion of computer programming, calligraphic expression, and chance. Generated through Verostko's custom-written algorithms and executed with a pen plotter, the composition features dynamic, gestural marks that suggest the sudden energy and movement implied by its title. The flowing lines appear spontaneous, yet each stroke is guided by carefully designed computational rules that balance precision with variation.
Inspired by both Eastern calligraphy and natural forms, Frog Jump*reflects Verostko's belief that algorithms can serve as poetic instruments of artistic creation. The work transforms mathematical instructions into expressive visual rhythms, demonstrating how digital processes can evoke the vitality and unpredictability of the natural world while preserving the elegance of the human hand.
Note: the DAM Berlin catalogue for "Algorithmic Poetry: The Joy of Digital" (Nov 2010 – Jan 2011) lists these sheets at 76 × 56 cm; the dimensions recorded here look like a batch-entry default — remeasure.