Week 3: Robotics and Art

Robotics have not only become an increasingly popular topic within the arts but have also become readily used in the creation of the arts. The theme of robots and robotic intelligence is one of the most popular topics within fiction and science fiction. In fact, the medium of science fiction is an art form in literature, cinema, and interactive entertainment that is in many ways built on the interaction of robotics and art in particular. As we learned in our lecture, when the industrial revolution began in society, the idea of the “robot” took root, first thought of as a machine that replaced the worker. The term coined by Capek fueled the growth of wild ideas in the realm of science and art. Even before the robot even physically developed, artists and writers envisioned countless ideas of what the robot looked like and what it was capable of. 

Another interesting interaction point between robotics and art is in music. An interesting example discussed in lecture was the creation of Gordon Pask. His cybernetic musical accompaniment machine in many ways resembles modern day software that “DJ’s” use to produce and perform their music. Many of the elements found in electronic music borrow from robotics and sounds that can only be generated using a computer and digital sound synthesis. In fact, most of modern day pop music relies more on the use of computers in its performance and creation than it does on actual musicians. 

In many ways, the modern technology industry, as characterized by the stereotypical California “startup”, and “silicon valley”, represents an interesting meeting point between robotics/computing, and art. It’s a new movement that in many ways represents a technological revolution much like the industrial revolution and ‘futurist’ movement discussed in lecture. The apps, and products being developed in these small companies are entirely driven by machine and computer technology, yet in many ways rely on artistic creativity in their success. The most successful products often represent the best of both worlds in terms of cutting edge technology, but new and creative (artistic) ideas. A great example would be social media applications that implement creative means of sharing information and even art with the world. Social media has become one of the largest platforms for sharing art, yet it is entirely built on modern computing, and machine technology.