Robotics and Art; Week 3

Robotics and Art

"Humanoid Robot Artwork"

Technology has changed our lives immensely. From the creation of the printing press to the automobile, it is clear that technology has become an integral part of our lives. What is less clear is the extent to which art has affected/been affected by technology, specifically robots. In fact, the concept of robots is rooted in art, as the notion was first introduced through theatre by playwright Capek (Vesna). 

Walter Benjamin believed otherwise, as he wrote that mechanical reproduction has destroyed the concepts of uniqueness, authenticity, and tradition which he refers to as “aura”. Although Benjamin does not refer specifically to robots in his writing, his idea of technology destroying art can also be challenged by the amalgamation of robotics and art. 

According to Lim, Robotics and art are inseparable concepts as the accessibility of technology (like computers) has allowed for the combination of the two, ultimately inspiring innovative, elaborate creations. Robotics artist Velonaki’s creation is an example of such. 

"Robotic Art"

Diamandini Robotic Statue by Mari Velonaki. 

Benjamin’s theory of aura-destruction may not specifically refer to innovative creations such as Velonaki’s robot, as his main argument revolved around digitization and repetitive mechanical production of art. However, Davis writes that digitalization and technology actually cooperates with art to catalyze, not eliminate, this “aura” that Benjamin treasures. Davis suggests that technology spreads good ideas which consequently bring about an influx of creative minds, artists, and critics. Rather than looking at mechanical production of art in terms of creation as Walter Benjamin did, Davis’s approach to technology and art focused on how technology can be used as a medium to spread the beauty of art. 

"Endoskeleton"

"Astro Boy"

Davis’s idea can be applied to robots as well. For example, the concept of robots became widespread all around the world, especially through movies such as The Terminator and Blade Runner. However, with each movie came an original, authentic version of robots. In fact, Professor Kusahara points out that Japanese robots (concepts) were drastically different from scary, evil American robots (e.g. the Terminator), as the robots were introduced as friendly and optimistic in Japan (e.g. Astro Boy) . Without the use of digitization of arts, creative abstractions such as Astro Boy would never have developed. The opportunities for art and technology are endless, and one day, it may even be possible for robots to create their own artworks, too (Gayford). 

Photos and Videos

Ho, Lok. “Endoskeleton.” SlideShowToy, Slideshow Inc, www.sideshowtoy.com/collectibles/terminator-endoskeleton-hot-toys-902662/.

IEEE Spectrum, director. Diamandini Robotic Statue by Mari Velonaki. Youtube, Youtube Inc., 2 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMqS3AeCCTU.

Lim, Angelica. “Robotic Art.” IEEE Spectrum, 2 May 2013, spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/diy/what-roboticists-can-learn-from-art.

Lim, Hongkiat. “Humanoid Robot Artwork.” Hongkiat, MaxCDN, www.hongkiat.com/blog/humanoid-robot-artwork/.

Sony Pictures Television International. “Astro Boy .” Namu Wiki , Sony Pictures, namu.wiki/w/%EC%B2%A0%EC%99%84%20%EC%95%84%ED%86%B0.

Bibliography

Benjamin, Walter. “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” Walter Benjamin, Schocken/Random House, Feb. 2005, www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm.

Davis, Douglas. “The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction (An Evolving Thesis: 1991-1995).” Leonardo, vol. 28, no. 5, 1995, p. 381., doi:10.2307/1576221.

Gayford, Martin. “Robot Art Raises Questions about Human Creativity.” MIT Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 28 Nov. 2016, www.technologyreview.com/s/600762/robot-art-raises-questions-about-human-creativity/.

Ho, Lok. “Endoskeleton.” SlideShowToy, Slideshow Inc, www.sideshowtoy.com/collectibles/terminator-endoskeleton-hot-toys-902662/.

IEEE Spectrum, director. Diamandini Robotic Statue by Mari Velonaki. Youtube, Youtube Inc., 2 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMqS3AeCCTU.

Lim, Angelica. “Robotic Art.” IEEE Spectrum, 2 May 2013, spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/diy/what-roboticists-can-learn-from-art.

Lim, Angelica. “What Roboticists Can Learn From Art, and What Artists Can Learn From Robots.” IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News, IEEE Spectrum, 2 May 2013, spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/diy/what-roboticists-can-learn-from-art.

Lim, Hongkiat. “40 State-of-the-Art Humanoid Robot Artworks.” Hongkiat, MaxCDN, www.hongkiat.com/blog/humanoid-robot-artwork/.

Sony Pictures Television International. “Namu Wiki .” Namu Wiki , Sony Pictures, namu.wiki/w/%EC%B2%A0%EC%99%84%20%EC%95%84%ED%86%B0.

Vesna, Victoria, and Machiko Kusahara. “Professor Machiko Kusahara on Japanese Robotics.” Robotics + Art. Desma 9, 17 Apr. 2018, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQZ_sy-mdEU.

Vesna, Victoria. “Robotics Part 1.” Robotics + Art. Desma 9, 17 Apr. 2018, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRw9_v6w0ew.