Reading Reflection 2

The terms “machine art” and “kinetic art” describe artworks that use machines or movement. In the 20th century, artists started using machines as part of their art, not just tools to create it. “Machine art,” as Andreas Broekmann explains, focuses on the mechanical qualities of machines. “Kinetic art,” according to Jack Burnham, is art that moves, either through machines or by the viewer’s interaction. Over time, these terms have expanded to include new technologies like robots and digital media, changing how we view machines in art.

In Jack Burnham’s writing, artist Tinguely created moving machines, some of which even broke down. One famous work, Hommage a New York 1960, was a machine that destroyed itself. This shows Broekmann’s idea of “indeterminacy,” where machines can act in unexpected ways. Another work, Métamatic 17, 1961, was a machine that made abstract drawings. This connects to Broekmann’s idea of “activity,” where the machine itself creates the art. Tinguely’s machines show that machines can be creative in unpredictable ways.

Tinguely and Gabo’s works help us see how machines can be part of art today. In modern art, machines aren’t just tools; they can help create and shape the art itself. Artists now use robots, interactive installations, and AI to make art where machines play an active role. This builds on the ideas of kinetic and machine art, where movement and technology are key parts of the artwork. Machines in today’s art are not just for making things, but for changing the art and offering new ways to express creativity.