Early 2024 in Doha, and late November 2024 in Sevilla, I organized a workshop to make collaborative artworks with humans and robots. The students had affinity for art and design but no knowledge of electronics or robotics. Yet, within a few hours, we managed to create compelling drawings using small robots. These robots do not rely on AI; in fact, their work stands in stark contrast to the lifeless visual content currently generated by AI engines. In this way, the work can serve as a commentary on the ongoing AI discussions.
The robots were programmed to repeat a specific behavior, which should have produced highly predictable results. However, when confronted with the physical world, the algorithm creates completely unpredictable works. When multiple robots work on the same canvas, the resulting chaos becomes even more compelling.
I see this as a metaphor for the world in which creative minds operate. In your imagination, creative work might seem predictable and repetitive. But as soon as you start, you must deal with the physical world and its challenges. When you take into account other creatives or an audience, it only gets more interesting.
The concept for a gallery exhibition could involve the robots creating unique paintings, potentially in front of an audience. The works could also be sold together with the robot itself. They could even be displayed together, with the canvas on the wall and the robot resting on a small shelf beneath it. So far, I’ve achieved the most striking results using acrylic paint on black paper.
