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Whitney Museum's 'Programmed' explores rules and code in art from 1965 to 2018

exhibition · 2026-05-04

From September 28, 2018, to April 14, 2019, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York showcases 'Programmed: Rules, Codes, and Choreographies in Art, 1965–2018', curated by Scott Rothkopf, Christiane Paul, and Carol Mancusi-Ungaro. This exhibition, located on the sixth floor, includes over 50 artworks, many of which are being exhibited for the first time. It is divided into two segments: 'Rule, Instruction, Algorithm' and 'Signal, Sequence, Resolution', featuring Nam June Paik's restored 'Fin de Siècle II'. Notable pieces include Lynn Hershman Leeson's interactive videodisc 'Lorna' and Tamiko Thiel's augmented reality work 'Unexpected Growth', along with net art from the museum's Artport platform, referencing Jack Burnham's 1970 exhibition 'Software' at the Jewish Museum.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'Programmed: Rules, Codes, and Choreographies in Art, 1965–2018' at Whitney Museum of American Art
  • Runs from September 28, 2018 to April 14, 2019
  • Over 50 works from the museum's collection, many exhibited for the first time
  • Curated by Scott Rothkopf, Christiane Paul, and Carol Mancusi-Ungaro
  • Two sections: 'Rule, Instruction, Algorithm' and 'Signal, Sequence, Resolution'
  • Nam June Paik's 'Fin de Siècle II' restored after six years, not seen since 1989
  • Includes Lynn Hershman Leeson's 'Lorna' (1979–1984), first interactive videodisc
  • Tamiko Thiel's augmented reality project 'Unexpected Growth' site-specific for terrace
  • Net art from Artport platform, including Casey Reas' '{Software} Structures' paired with Sol LeWitt wall drawing
  • References Jack Burnham's 1970 'Software' exhibition at Jewish Museum

Entities

Artists

  • Joseph Albers
  • Donald Judd
  • Ian Cheng
  • Tamiko Thiel
  • Nam June Paik
  • Lynn Hershman Leeson
  • Casey Reas
  • Sol LeWitt
  • Jack Burnham
  • Valentina Tanni

Institutions

  • Whitney Museum of American Art
  • Jewish Museum
  • Artribune
  • Politecnico di Milano
  • NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources