CyBerArt by artist F.C. Tull

In 1988 artist F.C.Tull began experimenting with the idea of creating an artform that blended high technology with traditional Fine Art. He began collaging computer components into his abstract paintings utilizing printed circuit boards, resistors, capacitors, diodes, silicon wafers, and other electronic parts he discovered at electronics swap meets in Silicon Valley. Since artists using computers to create digital art defined their medium as Computer Art, F.C. Tull chose the name CyBerArt to describe the mixed media conceptual collage pieces he was creating. F.C. Tull was born in San Francisco and grew up in what is now called Silicon Valley.

While studying at the University of California he discovered cybernetics. Named by physicist Norbert Weiner, cybernetics derives from the Greek word kybernetes , which means “helmsman”. Weiner conceived of information feedback control systems that led to the development of computers. On/off, 1-0, information is processed at blinding speeds. Obsolescence increases exponentially leaving billions of dollars in research and development to the scrap heap. Enter the artist, the helmsman, deconstructing the information hardware, recycling function into form, elevating mechanical transience to the aesthetic level. The art of the information age.Traditionally, artists have created and depicted images from their immediate environment from the level of technology of their particular age. With a virtual rainbow of colors, textures, shapes, and forms externalized from electronic media, F.C. Tull follows in the tradition of Picasso, Braque, and Duchamp, in utilizing “found objects” in his artistic compositions. Further developments have included digital Iris prints that utilize computer technology to scan and print images that are hand collaged, such as the artist’s composition “Resistance of Memory”. Dr. Timothy Leary named TuLL’s digital work: “Cyberdelic!”

Perhaps the ultimate CyBerArt statement was the creation of the interactive “talking” painting. Starting with a single ply copper and fiberglass PC board ( 20-30 are usually compressed to make an actual printed circuit board) the artist created an abstract composition on one side with a bas relief of the circuitry exposed in the translucent pigment. Framed with a clear Plexiglas backing and lighted from the rear, a reverse abstract with electronic schematic was visible giving the composition four dimensions.

Using a computer with voice recognition and lighting control dialog could be programmed to respond to the artist’s voice that triggered the programmed responses.

CyBerArt by artist F.C. TüLL documents the enormous impact of technology on mankind. The challenge in the artist’s compositions is to aesthetically balance the juxtaposition of computer hardware with flowing abstraction to create a timeless expression of aesthetic relevance. In the near future when beige boxes and hand held devices are a distant memory these compositions will be the remaining evidence of the most pivotal event in the history of human consciousness.

Education: University of California Santa Barbara, B.A. 1969-1972
University of Grenoble, France 1970 summer language program
University of California, Santa Cruz 1968-1969
San Jose City College 1965-1967
Lambson Art Tutorial Studies 1965-1969

Associations: YLEM Artists Using Science and Technology, San Diego Art Guild
Exhibitions: Pacific Island Arts, Gallery Haleiwa, Hawaii Whole Life Expo, SF CA 1991-92
Honolulu Rotary Art Auction Cadence Designs Computer Co.
Zoo Fence Art Exhibits, Honolulu, Hawaii Terry Plimsleur Productions (3) art Festivals
Club Oasis, San Jose, Ca Fry’s Electronics, Sunnyvale, Ca
Bingham Gallery, San Jose, Ca CyBerArts International, Pasadena, Ca
California Artists Exhibitions, (3) Festivals Fry’s Electronics, Manhattan Beach, Ca
Exhibition Pierre Marcand, Hollywood, Ca Quantum Corp, San Jose, Ca
San Francisco Fine Arts Center PARC Zerox Copy Show, Palo Alto, Ca
KTEH, Channel 54, PBS Art Auction Metropolitan Gallery, Lahaina, Maui
Joe Wade Gallery, Santa Fe, N.M. Angel Nunez Gallery, Lahaina, Maui
Milan Gallery, Santa Fe, N.M. Virtual Gallery, Palo Alto, Ca
Carthew Thompson Gallery, Beverly Hills New York Art Expo 1998, 2006
` Art Made to Match Gallery, San Jose, Ca
Noriega Gallery, Bangkok Black Sage Gallery, Hollister CA.
Saatchi Gallery Online, London Gallery Las Vegas
Rainforest Hotel Exhibit, Costa Rica New Living Expo, San Francisco
Saratoga Rotary Art Show 2022 Mestizo Gallery Salt Lake City 2020

Auction: Christies New York 1998 (CyBerArt Painting Estate of Dr. Timothy Leary)Publications: Computer Sources Magazine , Metro Magazine, Bangkok , Willow Glen Times , Morgan Hill Times

Television: NBC News, Tom Brokaw Why Didn’t I Think Of That?, Wink Martindale

Professional Associations: YLEM Artists Using Science and Technology,  San Diego Art Guild
Exhibitions:  Bingham Gallery, San Jose, CA., Joe Wade Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, New York Art Expo, Jacobs Javitz Center 1994, 1998.. Parc Zerox Copy Show, Palo Alto, Virtual Gallery, Palo Alto, Ca.