Introduction: Sculpture Robot (Part 1 of 9): Robotic Arm Made From Recycled Bicycle Parts
I have been building sculpture for over ten years and I have watched the evolution of machining technology go from CNC milling to 3D desktop object printing. These ‘making machines’ have formed a physical gap between my hands and the materials I sculpt, and I see this as a problem. As a contemporary sculptor, my challenge involves utilizing the advantages of modern making-machines, yet, I want to maintain physically natural material interactions with the objects I form. Making machines tend to produce mediated experiences of sculptural production that dilute my material awareness and may even distort my ‘tacit knowledge’ [M. Polanyi]. I believe I must form a new hybrid art-making partnership between my hands and machines, in an attempt to narrow the physical gap that has formed. With this in mind, I ask the question: is it possible for artists to experience a tactile interaction with materials while fabricating objects using robotic machines?
I put together nine videos that show how it was put together - from gathering recycled materials, to fabrication and even electronics and programing demonstrations.
Find out more at: http://morganrauscher.com/morganrauscher/portfolio/art-bot-meccanismo/
I hope you enjoy!
Participated in the
Supercharged Contest
8 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
Are there any pictures of finished carvings done by the robotic arm?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Unfortunate not yet - this work is so brand new that all of the video production was completed right after the art show release in the last month. I expect that as the research develops, many objects will be produced - and I have yet to go back to the gallery after a month or so to see what the visitors made.
9 years ago on Introduction
nice vids but how do u supply oil to the chain saw supply tanks.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thank you for your comment and yes there is a chain saw oil supply (it is rigged up to the actual saw). It requires filling from time to time - but not that often.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
dude they have a drill set-up 4 doing that as well.
9 years ago on Introduction
You studio workspace is very impressive. Watched the first video that was equally as impressive. You have a real talent at filming and editing your videos. Excellent job!
9 years ago on Introduction
Why split it up to 9 seperate pages?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Sorry about that TakashiMoto. These are actually 9 different inovations being represented by one project and so each inovation got a short digestable video. I hope it's not too annoying having to click through the series - but in each video (as indicated by the titles) there is something new and exciting that this project brings :)