Battling Bots and the Art of Mediation
I really enjoyed reading Emiles post about the human quality of fighting and how it shows in machines. His examples of vacuum cleaners with knives and battle tops made me think about how we see fighting in many different forms. But there is also something a bit different that I thought was interesting about the examples he gave. With gladiators, battle tops and battle bots it is always a controlled environment. Something or some event that is mediated.The idea of mediation is something very human too.
Fighting can be exciting and dramatic. It shows our desire to take risks and stand our ground, even if it sometimes ends in chaos. But fighting isn’t the whole story. Often, we see moments where someone or something steps in to calm things down. This mediation can change the outcome of a fight, or even make us see it in a new light. In real life, a mediator helps settle conflicts something humans in my eyes need, otherwise we were a destined to die on the battlefield or in some other skirmish.
A Hypothetical Work: "Magnetic Mediation"
Building on your ideas, I propose an installation called "Magnetic Mediation." In this work, there are two battling bots that are connected by a strong magnet. These bots spin violently around each other, symbolizing intense fighting. But here's the twist: a mediating force can suddenly disconnect the magnet, stopping the fight for a while. After a pause, the magnet reconnects, and the bots start fighting again.
This installation not only shows the excitement of fighting but also highlights the important role of mediation. It makes us think about how, in our own lives, moments of conflict can be eased by stepping back and finding a middle ground. The work invites viewers to consider both sides of the human experience—how we engage in battles and how we find ways to make peace.