Domi-Knowlton

We were pleasantly surprised to find this Kenneth Knowlton work in the wild. Technically, it’s not an original Knowlton but rather, a work from Domino-Pix by Metron Studios. Domino-Pix was an early 80s collaboration with computer/video art pioneer Lou Katz [Side note: check out this 1975 synth delight Ms. Muffet]. Domino-Pix made use of Knowlton’s patented system for rendering images with physical dominoes. This image is of Marylin Monroe–you may need to stand back a bit, squint, or zoom out to fully see it.

The framed work is 18” x 18” and came with two slips of paper: the original press / “about” copy for Domino-Pix, and an order form, leading us to believe this was an original produced at Domino-Pix headquarters in California.

Above: A portrait of Marilyn Monroe rendered in Metron Studio’s Domino-Pix format. This image has been slightly modified, increasing contrast for online viewing.

Above: A wider shot for scale; the framed work is 18” x 18”

From US Patent No. 4,398,890:

“Representation of designs using pattern members such as domino pattern blocks. The design is subdivided into a plurality of subordinate areas which are assigned values in accordance with a prescribed characteristic such as brightness. The assigned values are coordinated with those of the pattern members which are then substituted into the subordinate areas to realize the desired patterned representation of the design.”