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Stunning Examples of Machine Art
Written By hthth on Sep. 21, 2007.
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It shouldn't surprise those who know me that I'm robotic/mechanical art projects mesmerize me. Here are a selected few I've come across, which are simply incredible. Please share if you know of others!
Ferrofluid is "a liquid which becomes strongly polarised in the presence of a magnetic field" (Wikipedia). It's simply stunning to look at and even feels alive. If anyone has a DIY for making ferrofluids, drop me a line ;)
I recently featured Daniel Rozin's mechanical mirror on my site, but couldn't in good conscience post this note without including the video. It's a mirror without any glass — a computer vision system watches the environment and provides input for the mirror itself: homespun basket-like belts driven by motors. The belts are multicolored and align themselves to match observed patterns.
U-Ram Choe's organically inspired machines have been a personal favorite of mine ever since I first came across his videos earlier this year. The vertebrae and head shapes of his machines are simply stunning, and fit perfectly to my own taste and style. [His site]
Have you come across any other noteworthy mechanical art projects?
RightOn
Written Sep. 21, 2007 / Report /
You've just happened across one of my favorite forms of motion art!
My favorite would have to be Arthur Ganson.
RightOn
Written Sep. 21, 2007 / Report /
I spent a semester of my metals class in college doing an interview project with Ganson, the man is just amazing. Some of his pieces are just mind boggling.
hthth
Written Sep. 21, 2007 / Report /
Woo! A man of my taste. Those are fantastic RightOn!
Never heard of Ganson, but I like his work. I can envision the sculpture in the second video up on my wall. Amazing effect.
Ganson's work kind of reminds me of Theo Jansen's Strandbeest (air driven sculptures), in that they're so low tech, yet so incredibly complex:
RightOn
Written Sep. 21, 2007 / Report /
Here's some more...
jellis
Written Sep. 29, 2007 / Report /
Great stuff! Thanks for starting the thread, hthth. I particularly like the Ferrofluid, which I hadn't seen before. Fascinating. And that Baby Watching Ball stuff is pretty disturbing, RightOn. Right up my alley.
I had the good fortune of seeing Dan Rosen's work last weekend (we spent a good half hour playing with his various displays) and a U-Ram show at the beginning of the year, both at bitforms, a fantastic newish gallery in Chelsea, NYC that represents both artists. Here are some direct links to more images and video on the their site: Daniel Rozin // U-Ram Choe.
I've got some reactions to the U-Ram Choe show at microscopiq.
hthth
Written Sep. 29, 2007 / Report /
@jellis
Ach, I envy you for having attended bitforms! I've been wanting to see U-Ram's stuff up close for several months. Regarding Rozin's work, how did the weaved mirror work? I assumed it used a camera, did you notice one?
jellis
Written Oct. 3, 2007 / Report /
hthth: Yep, we definitely investigated. We walked all around the weaved mirror and saw the mess of circuit boards in back as well as the controller and a monitor. Pretty neat stuff. The camera for both mirrors is right in the center. You can see it in this image (the slot just over her right shoulder).
Regarding U-Ram: they still have one of his pieces in bitforms over the desk area, so if you're ever in the states... :-)
hthth
Written Oct. 3, 2007 / Report /
Excellent. Thanks for the info. You can be sure I'll swing by Bitforms next time I visit the states.