CYSP-1

CYSP-1 (CYbernetics and SPatiodynamics, 1956) is an early example of cybernetic art by the Hungarian-French artist Nicolas Schöffer. The excellent entry on CYSP-1 at Cybernetic Zoo calls it rather prosaically 'a homeostat on wheels', as it exploits the key cybernetic principle of balance seeking - taking an opposite action when getting out of balance. It can move in all directions, move forward and backward, and consists of a set of poles to which colored plates are are attached that can also turn. CYSP-1 is excited by silence, blue colors ('cold') and darkness, which means it will move and turn its plates, whereas noise, red colors ('heat') and light will calm it down.

Schöffer's bot wasn't an artistic object itself, it was an interactive medium he used to create context and site specific performances and works. For example the bot would react to a couple of ballet dances, evoking response from the humans in return and creating a joint choreography. Or in a specific gallery setting the bot would interact with the audience, hence involving them in jointly creating an artistic experience.