One of the earliest examples of science and technology merging with art trace back to the invention of the printing press and the movable type. These innovations helped extend art limitations by allowing our brain images to be reflected onto paper, through a machine - that is not our arm. In this case, we cancel the variability that our own hands create through free form art, and can create a universal uniformity that everyone can recreate. This technology is what allowed the mass production of books and other forms of communication to help pass culture, lessons, and wisdom from one generation to the next.
We are introduced to the transformation and revolution of art in the lens of what Walter Benjamin believes is to be the age of Mechanical Reproduction. According to Benjamin, “one of the foremost tasks of art has always been the creation of demand which could be fully satisfied only later.” Based on his ideologies, history has essentially taught us that "art aspires to effects which could be fully obtained only with a changed technical standard"—a new art form. And Benjamin sees the first step to reaching this new standard beginning with the act of outraging the public.
A great example that ties in art with robotics in a perfect blend is through Disney's movie, Wall-E! People watch movies as a pure form of entertainment, however, the cinematic arts has been an important part of the art culture since the very beginning of movie production. It is an easy way to transmit messages to the public. Robots are great in terms of making our lives easier and streamlining production - think dishwasher, vacuum, and washing machine. Do we ever consider the dangers of robotics and how it can be more powerful than humans and possibly destroy mankind? Rodney Brooks urges us to be aware of how robots are invading our lives and to not be ignorant of the potentially detrimental impact this may have (as seen in Wall-E). Artificial intelligence has been refined through art, form, and design. However, technology is triggering robotics past a productive concept and becoming something that influences to mankind to hyper-produce. This results in wastefulness of resources and greed.
On the other end of the spectrum, robotic art has helped humans, not only make life easier, but allow us to achieve things that were not once possible. In recent news, San Francisco's De Young Museum has recently announced that there is a new robot that would allow those who are physically handicapped to finally be able to experience a museum. Henry Evans was a Silicon Valley executive, but after experiencing a massive stroke, he is completely paralyzed. Using computers and robots, he is able to communicate with his family, friends, and the rest of the world with minimal movements of his eyeballs. The technology allows him to remain engaged, mentally active, and part of this world, especially since he is essentially trapped in his own body. Take a look at this robot and how it is designed. Henry's face is displayed through the webcam, and the robot has legs as if his presence were actually there. If the practice of robotic art is used beneficially, it has the potential to move us towards great lengths.
[1] History of Chinese Invention - The Invention of Movable Print." Computersmiths. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.computersmiths.com/chineseinvention/movtype.htm>.
[2] Markoff, John. "In Search of a Robot More Like Us." NYTimes, 11 July 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/science/12robot.html?_r=2&ref=science>.
[3] Brooks, Rodney. "Transcript of "Robots Will Invade Our Lives"" Rodney Brooks: Robots Will Invade Our Lives. TED, Feb. 2003. Web. 18 Apr 2015. <http://www.ted.com/talks/rodney_brooks_on_robots/transcript>.
[4] Wall E. Wall E. Disney, 12 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 Apr 2015.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZisWjdjs-gM&feature=kp>.
[5] "Robots Open up the World of Art." CBS News, 1 Mar. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/robots-open-up-the-world-of-art/>.
I enjoyed watching the video about the new robot touring capabilities at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. I believe that these robots that are bringing people who are either disabled or physically too far away to museums may be an innovative solution to Walter Benjamin’s problem of art losing their “aura” or originality. Benjamin argues that technology is causing art to lose their value through too much replication. However, this technology is bringing people back to appreciating and discovering originals in museums. I think by using these robots in more museums, more people will be able to have access to original art and the “aura” of art can be restored.
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