Week 3: Robotics + Art



 Realtime hologram of a live concert
 
Technology and art have a dynamic relationship, inspiring one another. Commonly, each field is perceived to advance the other such as in the advancement of Pixar animation. However, when analyzing their influence on human knowledge throughout history, I find that while technology and art had expanded knowledge in the past, they have limited our knowledge in the presence.


In lecture, Professor Vesna highlighted the importance of the printing press, pertaining to its contribution to novel artistic approaches in the Renaissance and to the expansion of scientific knowledge such as the scientific methods. It is apparent that inventions from the past have positively contributed to our intelligence. However, when analyzing the use of technology today, its impact on human knowledge appears to be contrary to its impact in the past.
http://cs-exhibitions.uni-klu.ac.at/index.php?id=469


In the paper, “The Work of Art in the age of Mechanical Reproduction,” Walter Benjamin emphasizes the negative consequences of mechanical reproduction on artistic work. These consequences are the designer/artist’s loss of authenticity and the depreciation of his/her artistic production. Although this paper was written in 1936, Benjamin seemed to have predicted today’s take on technology and art. Because of mass production, many individuals have similar paintings and home decors in their homes. Relating this to the self, this shows a lack of individuality and creativity.

Furthermore, despite robots are representative of art and technology at work, the negative effects of robots reveal how technology and art can limit human knowledge. For example, the invention of Sophia, a social humanoid robot, can be a double-edged sword. While it showcases an its creator’s intelligence, its many human-like qualities foreshadow the increase of society’s laziness and dependency on technology. Similarly, after watching Hod Lipson’s Ted Talk: building “self-aware” robots, I believe Lipson’s goal of inventing robots that have the ability to learn and evolve like children may lead to an increase in knowledge gap and wealth gap between those who control the robots and those who do not. 

Hod Lipson's Ted Talk: building "self-aware" robots

Overall, technology and art can expand knowledge if individuals, especially the creators, are attentive of its implications on human lives. For example, Professor Machiko Kusahara believes that robots can help humans in dire times and help in modernizing countries. Lastly, technology can help us appreciate the art and the advancement in today’s technology, such as a concert using realtime hologram and vocaloid shown in the video attached at the top.


References

"Sophia - Hanson Robotics Ltd.". Hanson Robotics Ltd., 2016, http://www.hansonrobotics.com/robot/sophia/. Accessed 23 Apr 2018.
Benjamin, Walter. "The Work Of Art In The Age Of Mechanical Reproduction". 1936, pp. 1-7., Accessed 23 Apr 2018.
Kusahara, Machiko. "Robotics Machikokusahara 1". Youtube, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=469&v=xQZ_sy-mdEU. Accessed 23 Apr 2018.
Vesna, Victoria. "Robotics Pt1". Youtube, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=80&v=cRw9_v6w0ew. Accessed 23 Apr 2018.
Vesna, Victoria. "Robotics Pt3". Youtube, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkP7oSZVkbg. Accessed 23 Apr 2018.

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