“Machines will never be able to generate a work of art using software, because art is the result of feelings - something a computer will never accomplish“
⁓ Petrus Wandrey, 2002
Welcome to the official website dedicated to Petrus Wandrey (1939–2012), a German post-war artist who developed his distinct artistic language in the late 1970s and named it DIGITALISM. His work explores contemporary culture, digital technology, and its impact on our human identity.
Discover his Oeuvre
This section offers an overview of Petrus Wandrey’s artistic production, presenting works on canvas and paper alongside constructions and sculptural pieces. His multifaceted oeuvre, estimated at around 3,000 individual works, evolves from early influences rooted in Surrealism, Dada, and Pop Art, toward his distinct visual language: DIGITALISM.
Context
The following references situate Petrus Wandrey within a broader field of critical discourse, institutional contexts, and documented historical reception. Together, they reflect the diverse ways in which his work has been discussed and interpreted across publications, exhibitions, and theoretical writing.
In May 1975, Petrus Wandrey travelled to Port Lligat to present Salvador Dalí with Venus’ Wind (1973), a reinterpretation of the Venus de Milo using industrial Siemens fans. Impressed by the work, Dalí installed the sculpture in the celebrated Mae West Room of the Teatro Museo Dalí in Figueres, where it is still presented today.
The meeting proved pivotal. Rather than encouraging Wandrey to pursue Surrealism, Dalí urged him to create the visual language of his own generation. Back in Hamburg, Wandrey turned away from Surrealism and began exploring the impact of technology on contemporary culture.
Following his first journey to New York in 1978, this search culminated in the creation of Digitalism, anticipating the relationship between humanity and the digital world decades before it became our reality.
Endorsement
This website is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Petrus Wandrey.
His groundbreaking fusion of art and technology remains highly relevant in today’s digital world.
Our mission is to keep his work accessible to collectors, researchers, and the public by presenting an informative archive and offering insights into his creative vision.
At the same time, this platform serves as a stage for current activities. We provide updates on exhibitions, events, and projects that bring Wandrey’s art into the present. By connecting audiences with opportunities to experience his work, the site ensures that his innovative spirit continues to inspire and remains an active part of contemporary cultural dialogue.