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Robots Tagged: automatic

1958

Meta-matic no. 8

Categories: Art, Performance Art – Tags: ,

French sculptor Jean Tinguely created several of these robotlike drawing machines that preceded his infamous self-destructing machines. The Meta-matics produced drawings on paper through repeated circular motions. An element of chance was added with the inaccuracies of the machine.

The Meta-matic no. 8 takes on the role of artist and thereby can be thought of as a sarcastic statement about the role of artists.

Unlike Akira Kanayama’s Remote-control painting machine, the Meta-matic no. 8 works on its own, mindlessly creating the repetitive motions that generates the artworks.

1955

Remote-control painting machine

Category: Art – Tags: ,

Akira Kanayama’s painting machine from 1955 was a four-wheeled device that Kanayama could remote-control to create paintings approximately 180 by 280 cm. The canvas lay on the floor and the machine dripped and poured paint on the picture pane.

The painting machine is an early example of the machine/robot in the role of artist. Kanayama’s remote-controlled painting machine mimics Jackson Pollock’s drips painting –a technique he developed in the 1940’ties.

 At the same time the machine follows Pollock’s ideas of automation and physical detachment between artist and painting, bringing it to a new level, but at the same time it makes fun of role of the artist – no longer an inspired and gesturing artist, but a homemade machine spilling paint.