[spectre] ROBOTIC ARTS, INFLATABLE AESTHETICISM

[EAF Director]

EXPERIMENTAL ART FOUNDATION and the ADELAIDE BANK FESTIVAL OF ARTS 2006 present

ROBOTIC ARTS, INFLATABLE AESTHETICISM

Robotic Arts, Inflatable Aestheticism is a project comprising 
exhibition, workshop, and presentations by Chico MaMurtrie, one of 
the world's leading artists using robotic technologies.
Chico MacMurtrie - born in New Mexico and now residing in New York - 
is the Artistic Director of Amorphic Robot Works (ARW). Formed in 
1992, ARW is a group of artists, engineers and technicians working 
together to create robotic performances and installations. Chico 
MacMurtrie describes his vision, "The work is an ongoing endeavor to 
uncover the primacy of movement and sound. Each machine is inspired 
or influenced, both, by modern society, and what I physically 
experience and sense. The whole of this input informs my ideas and 
work."
www.amorphicrobotworks.org

3 MARCH-8 APRIL INFLATABLE BODIES A NEW GENERATION OF ROBOTIC SCULPTURE
Since its establishment, Amorphic Robot Works has investigated the 
nature of movement via the creation of multi-faceted 
machine-sculptures that play and interact in their uniquely designed 
environments. This artistic program has resulted in the creation of 
more than 250 mechanical sculptures of varying size, that assume 
anthropomorphic and abstract forms.
One of the hallmark aspects of ARW's work is its direct contact with 
the audience. Rarely does the work appear on stage, behind ropes or 
behind glass. As the audience for the work has grown in size, so has 
the work itself. To make performances visible, and yet still 
physically accessible to the audience, the work has been erected and 
performed upon integrated sculptures of increasing height. A new 
generation of permanent work from ARW will completely eliminate the 
metal and thus, the physically and logistically cumbersome weight. 
Humanoid forms will arise from high-tensile inflatable fabric 
skeletons, formless until air inflates the bones. The possibilities 
for range and kind of movement, are as broad as that for muscle and 
bone, but with little of the mass. This new generation of interactive 
performance sculpture from ARW allows not only for a broader 
exhibition base, but an interesting new robotic form that does not 
conform to the standard conception of either 'robotic' forms or the 
existing understanding of kinetic sculpture.
3-19 March: 10-5 Daily; 21 March-8 April: 11-5 Tues-Fri; 2-5 Sat; 
Admission Free

24 FEBRUARY-7 MARCH WORKSHOP THE CREATION OF ROBOTIC ARTS
The Robotic Arts Workshop will serve as a practical and theoretical 
platform for the creation of new generations of robotic sculpture and 
installation, developed by Chico MacMurtrie and Amorphic Robot Works. 
The event will urge the creation of robotic arts by Australian 
artists, as it provides hands-on exploration of robotic technologies. 
Drawn from national registration, artists and robot makers will 
assist in the building of the robotic structures for the exhibition.
24 February-7 March. Registrations closed.

6 & 7 MARCH FREE PRESENTATIONS
4-6pm Monday 6 March: Public lecture, Mercury Cinema, Lion Arts 
Centre, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide
10.30am-12.30pm Tuesday 7 March: Artists' Week panel discussion 
"Emerging Fields" Elder Hall, University of Adelaide

PUBLICATION
A comprehensive catalogue with information about the project will be available.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Experimental Art Foundation Director and Curator of ROBOTIC 
ARTS,  INFLATABLE AESTHETICISM: Melentie Pandilovski: +61 (0)8 8311 
7505.

-- 
EXPERIMENTAL ART FOUNDATION curates its exhibition program to 
represent new work that expands current debates and ideas in 
contemporary visual art. The EAF incorporates a gallery space, 
bookshop and artists studios.

Lion Arts Centre North Terrace at Morphett Street Adelaide * PO Box 
8091 Station Arcade South Australia 5000 * Tel: +618 8211 7505  * Fax 
+618 8211 7323 * eaf at eaf.asn.au  * Bookshop: eafbooks at eaf.asn.au * 
http://www.eaf.asn.au * Director: Melentie Pandilovski

The Experimental Art Foundation is assisted by the Commonwealth 
Government through the Australia Council, it arts funding and 
advisory body and by the South Australian Government through Arts SA. 
The EAF is also supported through the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, 
an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.