Week 3: Robotics + Art

The topic of robotics and incorporation of machinery dates back to many years ago. Nikola Tesla and Henry Ford were significant pieces to the introduction of robotics in modern society, they had great influence on the advancement of technology. Their idea of a wireless world and assembly lines marked a pivotal point in human history. These ideas influenced and drove the vision of a modernized society. It brought about the concept of industrialization and production of machinery, which influenced the creation of movies like Metropolis or Blade Runner. These movies heavily reflect on the fast-moving, mechanization of production during that time period.
Illustration of Ford assembly lines
The introduction of assembly lines was a genius idea that marked a starting point in modern society. But little did they know that assembly lines meant mass production and mass production meant that there would be a lot of replication. Walter Benjamin stated, "the instant the criterion of authenticity ceases to be applicable to artistic production, the total function of art is reversed". He is implying that art ain't the same through mass production of items because it is no longer holds its unique value. This is an underappreciated matter by people in this generation because we grew up in a world where technological tools are the next big thing. It almost seems like there is a negative correlation between quality and quantity when we are talking about art. The moment you focus your attention to quantity, it threatens the authenticity and beauty of art.
Mass production of a dancing robot
Now that we are talking about robots, do you think it is possible that one day our world will be governed by robots? It is a very scary sight because we have a soul, mind, and emotions while robots are just a piece of wired machinery. After watching Rodney Brook's TEDtalk on robots, I realized how far we have come with technology. From just digit creations to interacting with a robot and the robot being able to evoke emotions it is an unimaginable sight. It is safe to say that we will have robots roaming our streets in the near future, but he also mentions that we are not stupid enough to create a machine that will dominate the human race. We would simply never create such things, which kind of relieves me because you never know!

Rodney Brook's TEDtalk 
References:

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.

Brooks, Rodney. “Robots Will Invade Our Lives.” TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, www.ted.com/talks/rodney_brooks_on_robots#t-1097378.

Lynn, Matthew. “The Internet Hasn't Boosted Productivity, but Robots Will.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 23 Feb. 2015, www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/11430129/The-internet-hasnt-boosted-productivity-but-robots-will.html.

“Scenes From the Assembly Line at the Ford River Rouge Plant.” The Old Motor, theoldmotor.com/?p=154610.

Vesna,Victoria. “Lecutre Part 2.” Math + Art. 12 Oct. 2012. Lecture.

Comments

  1. Josephine WangApril 25, 2018 at 5:46 PM

    Hey Kevin,

    I appreciate the way that you included your own thoughts in this blog post, as well as asked a question in it so that the people who read it can think about what their own convictions on the matters are. It definitely is mind-boggling to think about the idea of robots roaming the streets, and I think that the view that pop-culture has given me with a lot of "something goes wrong" plots makes me contemplate the idea of people actually unintentionally creating something that dominates the human race. Thanks for your insight!

    Best,

    Josephine

    ReplyDelete

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