Hysterical Machines by Bill Vorn (CA) at Exportdrvo, Rijeka

U sklopu programa Rijeka 2020 i u okviru programske linije Dopolavoro, riječko Exportdrvo ugostilo je instalaciju "Histerične mašine" poznatog svjetskog umjetnika-robotičara Billa Vorna (CA). Interaktivna robotička instalacija koja se ponaša poput živog bića i reagira na posjetitelje sastoji se od šest robotičkih struktura koje oživljava prisutnost ljudi u njihovoj neposrednoj blizini. Iako je riječ o metalnim objektima koje pokreće hidraulični sustav, ponašanje ovih robota podsjeća na žive organizme i izaziva snažne osjetilne senzacije. Kako je moguće tako brzo osjetiti empatiju prema “bićima” čije je ponašanje naočigled disfunkcionalno, apsurdno i devijantno? Publiku se nastoji potaknuti na razmišljanje o naravi umjetnog života i osnovnih filozofskih i socioloških pitanja o odnosu ljudi i strojeva, prirodnog i umjetnog.

Within the programme of Rijeka 2020 - European Capital of Culture and as a part of its flagship called Dopolavoro, Exportdrvo hosted “Hysterical Machines”, installation by well-known international robotics and sound artist Bill Vorn (CA).

This interactive robotic installation consists of six robotic structures that react to the presence of visitors in their nearby environment. Although they are metal objects that are moved by a hydraulic system, they behave a lot like living organisms and provoke powerful sensations.

How is it possible to so quickly develop feelings of empathy towards “beings” whose behavior is apparently dysfunctional, absurd and deviant? The installation attempts to incite the viewer to question the nature of artificial life and the fundamental philosophical and sociological questions about the relationship between people and machines, the natural and artificial.