Artbots

Our fascination with Robots has existed for generations.  As technology grows, so does our ability to make more and more sophisticated robots.  Highly connected with the Abstract Expressionism art movement, artists are now using technology to actually create art in different ways- with Robots who make art called Artbots.  Some Artbots move randomly- their movements created by offsetting the weights on the motors or restricting the area in which they can move.  More sophisticated Artbots are remote controlled so that their creator can controll the marks that they make.  Lastly, some Artbots are preprogrammed to create certain patterns, shapes or even in some cases draw particular objects like Mikey Mouse.  In reality, the modern printer does the same thing.  However, our fascination with Artbots probably comes from our emotional ties to them, thinking that they may have some independant intelligence and exploring their ability to create really pushes the boundaries on what we consider art.  I like Artbots because it allows us to connect art with technology in a very sophisicated way (I'm secretly a techno geek) and allows us to explore the importance of process instead of just the final product.

The image to the left is my first Artbot that I made during a workshop at the Ontario College of Art and Design.  As you can see, the design doesn't have to be that sophisticated (for example, taping the markers to the robot!) but it works and it was fun!

Look at the artwork below.  At first it appears to be an unskilled, random work of art that could have been produced by a child.

When we look closer, we see that it is a small robot that was responsible for making the marks and our perception and appreciation of the work greatly changes.  Artbots seem to allow us to change our perception on the process and in a lot of ways release control of what we create.

My favourite Artbot is Can Dinsky- a spray painting Robot.  I like him not so much because of the work he creates, but more so because of the witty reference to "can" because of the spray paint and the Abstract Expressionist "Kandinsky".  In fact, I may just name my next cat after him, unless of course, Jaxon wants to name him "cat".

Building an Artbot can be realitively simple.  We will be using simple 3V DC motors (hobby motors), one AA battery and found objects.  This is the first step of understanding how technology and art are linked.  From here, we can then begin to explore Digital Grafitti, Projection Art and so much more.  Basic instructions on how to design a "Drawbot" can be found here, but of course, I will

suggest that you explore different ways of building your robot so that the marks your Artbot makes are more unique. 

Our Relationship with Robots

Looking around at all of my sons toys, I realize that our relationship with Robots starts early.  I remember back to my youth (in the 1980's) when all I wanted for Christmas was "Hootbot"- he could serve as my own special animal/robot friend.  His eyes glowed and when he hooted his wings flapped and tail twitched.  Besides that, not much, but his cute little face was irrisitable.  At this time, movies like E.T. and Short Circuit had come out, and of course, every little child wanted a unique friend to call their own.  It was more practical, after all, than having a monkey as a pet.   

Watching my son with his robots, I realize that he has conversations with them and that they become interative toys- of course giving me a free moment to make dinner or put a load of laundry in.  He still uses his imagination the way he would with his action figures, but instead the Robot controls what is next in the story line and he improvises from there. Taking inventory of his robot toys, he has "Stinky the Garbage Truck", "ZhuZhu pets", "Alfie", "Iron Man", as well as remote controlled cars and dinosaurs.

Further Research:

Artbot Talent Show:  http://artbots.org/2011/

An Art Robots timeline:  http://libarynth.org/art_robots

Art in Review:  Leo Villareal:  http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE6DC1530F930A15750C0A9619C8B63

Art by Robottticelli:  http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/20132-art-by-robotticelli

Robotic Chair falls apart and reassembles itself:  http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Oct06/robotic.chair.aj.html

Boxy, the Documentary Robot:  http://bcove.me/l66supmr

Art from everyday objects:  https://creators.vice.com/en_us/article/ez5naj/repurposing-obsolete-wind-up-toys-as-quirky-art-making-robots