Cryptograph: An Exhibition for Alan Turing

Cryptograph is organized in conjunction with the many celebrations taking place around the world in honor of the centenary of Alan Turing (1912-1954), the brilliant British mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and pioneering computer scientist.

Turing’s world-changing innovations include the Turing Machine, a conceptual machine that builds on the notion of the algorithm and lays the foundation of modern computing. As a cryptanalyst during World War II, Turing’s breakthroughs in logic allowed him to decipher the German encrypting device known as the Enigma Machine which was used extensively in communication between German U-boats. Turing was also deeply involved in the idea of “Machine Intelligence,” and he developed a test for artificial intelligence that is still in use today. Late in his career Turing became fascinated with the field of mathematical biology, a field that explores the mathematical underpinnings of morphogenesis, the origins and evolution of biological form.

The exhibition draws from the Spencer’s permanent collections seeking works that resonate with the kinds of questions that drove Turing’s research: finding meaning in patterns, and finding connections between mathematics and computing, intelligence and natural form. The exhibition is co-sponsored by and was conceived in consultation and collaboration with KU’s Information and Telecommunication Technology Center and the Biodiversity Institute.

• Cryptograph: An Exhibition for Alan Turing

  Exhibition Catalogue

For More on Alan Turing:

• The Turing Digital Archive
• The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• 2012 The Alan Turing Year
• The Enigma Machine Applet by Russell Schwager
• Paper Enigma Machine by Mike Koss
• Alan Turing: Exhibition offers rare glimpse of the man behind the enigma
• Alan Turing Year on Facebook

Online version of the exhibited book by Michael Winkler:

• Ligns by Michael Winkler

Public Programs

4.6.12

Gallery Talk: SMA intern Lindsey Waugh on The Elegant Equation: Intersections of art and mathematics in works from the Cryptograph Exhibition honoring Alan Turing

12:00 – 1:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 318

Please join Lindsey Waugh, Andew W. Mellon Intern, Academic Programs, for "The Elegant Equation: Intersections of art and mathematics in works from the Cryptograph exhibition honoring Alan Turing."

5.17.12

Lecture: Professor Perry Alexander and Curator Steve Goddard on Cryptograph: An Exhibition for Alan Turing

6:30 – 7:30 PM / Kansas City Public Library

The Spencer's Steve Goddard and KU engineering and computer science professor Perry Alexander will speak about the world of early computer scientist Alan Turing, the subject of the Museum's Cryptograph: An Exhibition for Alan Turing. Cryptograph examines the question that drove Turing's research: finding meaning in patterns. Goddard is the Museum's senior curator and curator of prints and drawings, and a professor of art history; Alexander is director of KU's Information & Communications Technology Center, and a professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art, Kansas City Public Library

6.17.12

Activity: Cryptographs!

1:00 – 3:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317 Central Court, Gallery 318, Front Lawn

Spend a captivating and fun-filled afternoon at the Spencer discovering a world of hidden secrets, puzzles, and cryptographs in the Museum’s collection and a special exhibition honoring Alan Turing (1912-1954), the brilliant British mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, and pioneering computer scientist. Try your hand at making ink blot paintings, create landscripts, search for clues hidden in the details in works of art, enjoy face painting, puzzles and many more activities. Artist Stephen Johnson will talk about his work at 1:30 PM. No registration necessary. All ages welcome.

Press

• June 18, 2012 Spencer to screen acclaimed Alan Turing docu-drama In honor of Alan Turing’s upcoming centenary, the Spencer this Wednesday evening will screen Codebreaker, a critically acclaimed docu-drama about the highs and lows of Turing's fascinating life.
• May 30, 2012 Cryptographs! Family Day at the Spencer The Spencer will celebrate Father’s Day by offering one of its always popular Family Days from 1-3 PM on Sunday, June 17. We invite families to spend a captivating and fun-filled afternoon discovering a world of hidden secrets, puzzles, and cryptogr
• May 16, 2012 Interview with Steve Kraske on KCUR's Up to Date In the first part of Up to Date, Steve Kraske talks with Spencer Museum's Steve Goddard, Perry Alexander, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and Leonard Krishtalka, director of KU's Biodiversity Institute about Cryptograph.