Abstract art

Abstract art (also called non-objective art) uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.[1] Western art had been, from the Renaissance up to the middle of the 19th century, underpinned by the logic of perspective and an attempt to reproduce an illusion of visible reality. The arts of cultures other than the European had become accessible and showed alternative ways of describing visual experience to the artist. By the end of the 19th century many artists felt a need to create a new kind of art which would encompass the fundamental changes taking place in technology, science and philosophy. The sources from which individual artists drew their theoretical arguments were diverse, and reflected the social and intellectual preoccupations in all areas of Western culture at that time.[2]

Abstraction indicates a departure from reality in depiction of imagery in art. This departure from accurate representation can be only slight, or it can be partial, or it can be complete. Abstraction exists along a continuum. Even art that aims for verisimilitude of the highest degree can be said to be abstract, at least theoretically, since perfect representation is likely to be exceedingly elusive. Artwork which takes liberties, altering for instance color and form in ways that are conspicuous, can be said to be partially abstract. Total abstraction bears no trace of any reference to anything recognizable. In geometric abstraction, for instance, one is unlikely to find references to naturalistic entities. Figurative art and total abstraction are almost mutually exclusive. But figurative and representational (or realistic) art often contains partial abstraction.

Both Geometric abstraction and Lyrical Abstraction are often totally abstract. Among the very numerous art movements that embody partial abstraction would be for instance fauvism in which color is conspicuously and deliberately altered vis-a-vis reality, and cubism, which blatantly alters the forms of the real life entities depicted.[3][4]

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle with one or more electric motors for propulsion. This is also referred to as an electric drive vehicle. The motion may be provided either by wheels or propellers driven by rotary motors, or in the case of tracked vehicles, by linear motors.

Unlike an internal combustion engine (ICE) that is tuned to specifically operate with a particular fuel such as gasoline or diesel, an electric drive vehicle needs electricity, which comes from sources such as batteries or a generator. This flexibility allows the drive train of the vehicle to remain the same, while the fuel source can be changed.

The energy used to propel the vehicle may be obtained from several sources, some of them more ecological than others:

* on-board rechargeable electricity storage system (RESS), called Full Electric Vehicles (FEV). Power storage methods include:
o chemical energy stored on the vehicle in on-board batteries: Battery electric vehicle (BEV)
o static energy stored on the vehicle in on-board electric double-layer capacitors
o kinetic energy storage: flywheels
* direct connection to generation plants as is common among electric trains, trolley buses, and trolley trucks (See also : overhead lines, third rail and conduit current collection)
* renewable sources such as solar power: solar vehicle
* generated on-board using a diesel engine: diesel-electric locomotive
* generated on-board using a fuel cell: fuel cell vehicle
* generated on-board using nuclear energy: nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers

It is also possible to have hybrid electric vehicles that derives energy from multiple sources. Such as:

* on-board rechargeable electricity storage system (RESS) and a direct continuous connection to land-based generation plants for purposes of on-highway recharging with unrestricted highway range
* on-board rechargeable electricity storage system and a fueled propulsion power source (internal combustion engine): plug-in hybrid

History

Logica was founded by Len Taylor, Philip Hughes and Pat Coen as a systems integration business in 1969.[1] Early projects included the control system for the natural gas grid in the UK in 1971 and the design of the SWIFT network for international money transfers in 1973.[1]

In 1974, Logica, together with the French company SESA (now part of Capgemini), set up a joint venture, Sesa-Logica, to undertake the European Informatics Network development. This project, undertaken with the support of partners throughout Europe and with the assistance of Bolt, Beranek and Newman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, brought the core datagram technology of the Arpanet, now the Internet, to Europe for the first time, and established a network linking research centres in a number of European Countries, including CERN, the French research centre INRIA and the UK’s National Physical Laboratory.[2]

In 1975, Logica developed the first electronic typing pool – Unicom – for Unilever. This development allowed the complete functions of a typing pool to be automated into a single system supporting about 50 workstations. With the support of the UK’s National Enterprise Board the company established a new subsidiary to exploit this technology, Logica VTS. A range of stand alone word processors, the VTS 100 and the VTS 2200, were developed and were manufactured at a purpose built factory in Swindon. These machines were sold internationally by BT and by International Computers Ltd and were amongst the first word processors to achieve mass sales. However the advent of the Personal Computer and software such as Microsoft Word led to the decline of this business and its ultimate closure.[3]

At this time Logica set up operating subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Australia, Sweden, the United States and elsewhere as well as joint ventures in Hong Kong with Jardine Matheson, in Italy with Finsiel and in the UK with British Airways. The Company floated on the London Stock Exchange on 26 October 1983.[1]

In 1984 the Company developed the automated clearing system for the UK banks (CHAPS)[1] as well as the customer service system for British Telecom.[1]

The Company pioneered the automated ticketing system for London Underground in 1987[1] and the system which randomly generates premium bond numbers (ERNIE) in 1988.[1]

Logica was also responsible at this time for the first commercial Short Message Service (SMS) system to Telia in Sweden: this was later to become a major line of business for the Company.[1]

During the late 1980s and early 1990s the Company was led by Dr David Mann.[4]

Dr Martin Read was recruited from GEC Marconi and appointed CEO in August 1993.[1] All the executive directors left the company during the two years following his appointment.[5] In 2001 the Company secured an outsourcing contract to create and operate a new case management system for the Crown Prosecution Service.[6] At this time the level of Dr Read's remuneration received attention when it was revealed that he enjoyed a £28 million pay packet.[7]

The merger of Logica (60%) with CMG (40%), on 30 December 2002, represented the union of an established technology firm (Logica) with an established consulting firm (CMG).[8] In June 2003 LogicaCMG’s software controlled the Beagle 2 probe after separation from the Mars Express orbiter.[9]

In 2005 LogicaCMG purchased 60% of the Portuguese company Edinfor,[1] and in March 2008 purchased the remaining 40%. In 2006, LogicaCMG purchased the French company Unilog and the Swedish company WM-data.[1]

The Company suffered some embarrassment in 2006 when laptops containing police payroll data were stolen from LogicaCMG[10] and Transport for London terminated an IT outsourcing contract with LogicaCMG after payment disputes and a failure to meet service level agreements.[11]

On 20 February 2007 LogicaCMG Telecom Products was sold for £265m (US $525m) to private investors Atlantic Bridge Ventures and Access Industries and became known as Acision.[12]

Following a profit warning in 2007,[13] Andy Green was recruited as the new CEO and took office from 1 January 2008.[14] On 27 February 2008, the Company changed its name back to Logica.[1] In April 2008 Green announced a major restructuring programme for the company, leading to 1,300 job losses.[15] Also in May 2008 the Company announced that it would outsource more of its activities including SAP support and HR and payroll administration to Makati City in the Philippines