If I was asked before going through this weeks materials
about whether art and robotics had any relationship what so ever I would have
said “No” because I didn’t think they did. After going through the week 3
lecture and the readings and I am now fully aware of the important of how art
and robotics influence each other. Even
though we might think that robotics art is this modern invention but the truth
is that robotic art existed in ancient China as far back as the Han Dynasty (c.
third century BC), with the development of a mechanical orchestra, and other
devices such as mechanical toys.
Figure 1: Jade suit Tomb of Han prince Liu Sheng Before 113 BCE Mancheng, China
This is suit sewn together with gold thread. it was believed
that the use of such precious materials
such as gold thread, bronze, and jade was an Icon of protection but what is
most interesting to me about this suit is that it was sown together like some of the robots in this modern days. this to me shows how robotics have existed long before and how it has evolved into something bigger like machines that able to do jobs that that centuries ago could only be done by humans.
Figure 2: Robots used by Automakers
Robotics in this modern time can is being used in both
positive and negative ways. Robotics art is part of our daily lives now because
its everywhere. They protect us from harm and also are the main tools that helps build most of our important daily needs like cars, planes, trains computers etc. Robotics on the other hand are used to
manufacture weapons that are harmful to the human race like bombs and weapons pf mass distraction. In Walter Benjamin"s "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”
(1936) he said "One of the foremost tasks of art has always been
the creation of a demand which could be fully satisfied only later." to me the satisfied part of creation of demand is how art and robotics have combined to create things that are very important to our day to day style of living.
Figure 3: A picture of a robot from the movie "I, Robot"
Now robotic engineers are designing the next generation of
robots to look, feel and act more human and some even believe that in many year
to come robots are going to take over the world due to the how fast technology
is growing. Like in the movie “I Robot” when bad robots rebel against the human
race and try to wip as out. This shows that even for how technology has helped us till this day, the fear of the use
of it talking over the world and wiping away old culture is something to keep
in mind. Robotics is very influential in this modern day but combined with Art, the world is bound to make the unthinkable things come to reality like Walter Benjamin once said "It is only
for the sake of those without hope that hope is given to us" when we believe that something is can be done is when it gets done and with robots and art together, there is a power to make anything happen.
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PHOTOGRAPHY IN FLORIDA' AND 'ART OF THE ROBOT' IN MID-JUNE."
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Hi Danladi! I think your point about how robots pose a threat to our society is an interesting one. Ultimately though, we are the creators of these robots, so it's also our responsibility to design them and integrate them into society properly. As you contend, robots, and technology overall, has allowed us to do some amazing things that have greatly increased our knowledge of the world we live in. I think if we start appreciating robots for the powerful tool that they are, we can continue to learn so much more and decode the unknown. I was also fascinated with your discussion of the jade suit from the Han Dynasty. It goes to show just how advanced those "ancient" civilizations really were.
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