The advancement of robotics
poses an interesting question for artists because in many cases robots are
created in the image of humans or are created with the purpose of replacing
human actions. So the question for artists is, what will be the results for
humans because of this growing cyborg trend?
Recently, the film that won
Best Animated Feature Film at the 2015 Academy Awards was Big Hero 6, a story starring the soft and cuddly cyborg “Baymax.”
In the film, Baymax is a loveable, friendly robot that plays the hero and is an
innovation for medical technology. The design of Baymax was based on actual
research done by engineers whom the animators consulted with.
Science of Big
Hero 6
While this idealistic vision
of a cyborg friend improving humanity is a popular answer to the question, many
artists choose to go in the opposite direction. The television series Battlestar Galactica showcases cyborgs
(called cylons in the series) that are indistinguishable from humans and almost
drive the human race to extinction.
Battlestar Galactica Opening Credits
I find it interesting that many artistic portrayals of robots seem to take the extremes of how robotics will affect our future - either creating a utopia or a dystopia.
While robotics continues to
be an important topic of subject material and exploration for artists, the
design of robotics is also having a clear influence from artists. Not only are artists drawing inspiration from robotics to create their art, scientists are being inspired from art to design the next generation of robotics. For example, a
robot was created using the designs of the art of origami in order to be able
to fold and unfold itself. This is useful for it to be able to change shape and
adapt to its environment and the idea is to be able to use it to search for
survivors in earthquake wreckage.
Origami robot demonstration
Another interesting robot
was designed to actually be able to create its own art! This poses another
interesting question about whether or not robots could potentially become serious artists themselves in the future.
Robot creating abstract art
References
Battlestar Galactica New Opening Credits. Youtube. SyFy, 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
Big Hero 6 Fuses Science, Technology and Artistry. Perf. Elizabeth Lee. Youtube. VOA News, 10 Dec. 2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
BNJMN The Mechanical Soul of an Artist 2. Youtube. Www.bnjmn.ch, 7 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
Dawson, Angela. "Why ‘Big Hero 6’ Brought a Robotics Professor to Tears." Not Impossible NOW. Not Impossible NOW, 7 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.notimpossiblenow.com/lives/why-big-hero-6-brought-a-robotics-professor-to-tears>.
Marczynski, Joseph. "Art Robots." Protein. Protein, 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <https://www.prote.in/en/feed/2013/04/art-robots>.
Marks, Paul. "Self-organising Origami Robot Unfolds Itself... and Walks." New Scientist. New Scientist, 7 Aug. 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26024#.VTHMfs70j6l>.
The Science of Big Hero 6 - Big Hero 6 Exclusive Bonus Clip. Disney.com. Disney, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://video.disney.com/watch/the-science-of-big-hero-6-big-hero-6-exclusive-bonus-clip-50da75fc95b83cbaa9739700>.
Self-folding Origami Robot Walks on Its Own. Dir. Sam Felton and Robert Wood. Youtube. New Scientist, 7 Aug. 2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
Vanhemert, Kyle. "A Painting Robot Coded For Artificial Creativity." Co.Design. Fast Company, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://www.fastcodesign.com/1672400/a-painting-robot-coded-for-artificial-creativity>.
Hi Stephanie, I think you point out the main worries that many artists in the entertainment field think. Often times, Hollywood portrays a good robot that has human qualities, they seek to feel, to help and can be your friend like Baymax, but on the other hand, many good robots eventually sacrifice themselves for the sake of the human race. What do you think of this trend? Is there a contradiction between the artistic world and robotics?
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I really like your discussion of how artists choose to conceptualize robots based on extremes, and how they often choose to either visualize a robot as quintessentially "good", and necessary to the continued survival of the human race, or inevitably "bad", and set on the destruction of humanity. In response to t.m.'s comment, I find it really interesting that the robots that are portrayed as good often end up giving up their continued existence in exchange for humanity's. This is interesting to me because I think that it implies a belief that despite the great changes and innovations that are occurring the robotics world, humanity's survival and superiority will always come first.
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