I. An Automatons Ache.
I have always been fascinated by the ideas of humanity within automation and robotics as our technology has advanced rapidly. The main difference that I see when it comes to defining us as human beings are our emotions. We are essentially made up of our personal life experiences, values, creativity, and imagination; those are things you can’t exactly code. The story behind this piece is about a robot who tries to find its humanity. It attempts to simulate a human heartbeat- yet cannot do so correctly, eventually causing them to shut down through its despair. Ironically, they are able to discover their humanity in the end as they felt an emotion. It is a work that is reflective of our current relationship with artificial intelligence, and it allows viewers to consider the potentials that these technologies may hold in the coming future.
Featured in Weaved/Wired, a Tangible Media exhibit held in the Assembly Gallery at the IMA building.
Link to documentation (behind the scenes)
II. Infinite Greed
“i am more infinite than man’s greed, and yet, man’s greed is more infinite than me.” is an exploration of themes including futurism, technology, the environment, and humanity. In this realm, technology has lasted longer than mankind’s reign- but is on the verge of breaking down. Its components are scattered and buried within the greenery of the work, some parts being overgrown with moss and leaves. Even so, they still exist and may never fully break down to return to the earth in the same ways that we can. The LEDs in the eyes are sound sensor-activated, allowing the creature to interact with the environment around it by, however in a state of confusion and fear, unable to understand what surrounds them. They cannot comprehend their relationship with humans because their greed allowed them to live for so long but in a broken, stagnant state. The robot outlasts their greed, but its components will outlast themselves, in the end making mankind everlasting.
Featured in Weaved/Wired, a Tangible Media exhibit held in the Assembly Gallery at the IMA building
Link to documentation (behind the scenes)
III. Gods and Robots
A project made as a piece of exploration of ancient automaton stories. It was inspired by the book “Gods and Robots: The Ancient Quest for Artificial Life” written by Adrienne Mayor. King Ajatasattu ordered his engineers to create these automated guards to assist in protecting Buddha’s relics after his death. Years later, King Ashoka came along, and while also another follower of Buddha, he wanted to take the relics to spread across his land to multiple shrines. This resulted in a war against these automatons.
Komal Lally 