12 parmes de la série ni rouge, ni bleu mais parme

Gouache and cut-paper collage on mat board, 1961
Private collection

In the 1950s, drawing on developments in information science, Vera Molnár began employing a rational, rule-based approach to her geometric abstract art. Working as if she were a machine, she would design simple algorithmic programs and execute them by hand. She often used dice or phone numbers from telephone books to introduce randomness. Even with this analog method, Molnár could generate dozens of variations on a single concept.

In 1961 Molnár created a series of simple collages using square pieces of paper painted with gouache (opaque watercolor) in varying shades of parme, a pale purple color. She arranged some according to a predetermined pattern, such as the color gradients in 12 parmes. Others were arranged at random, as in 13 couleurs parmes au hasard. Molnár persistently explored the space between order and chaos over the course of her life.

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