Formation 1989 Purpose Artscene Origin San Jose, California | Extinction 1991 Location United States Founders Zyphril
Chips Ahoy | |
Aces of ANSI Art (abbreviated <A.A.A>) was the first group of artists specifically organized for the purposes of creating and distributing ANSI art. The group was founded and operated by two BBS enthusiasts from California, "Zyphril" and "Chips Ahoy", from 1989 through 1991.
History
The group was initially formed in 1989 during the height of the BBS era, but soon after the group's founding, ANSI art groups took on a life of their own, growing increasingly popular and spawning what would come to be known as the "artscene." ANSI art, which initially began as a method for bulletin board sysops to draw users to their boards, but with the emergence of organized groups, the artscene became associated with "underground" culture, such as warez boards.
In 1990, a schism occurred when a small but influential group of members left the group to form ACiD Productions. ACiD (ANSI Creators In Demand) will grow to become the first international artscene group.