Week 3 Blog Post

Henry Ford's Assembly Line
via: Weber

Industrialization began in the late 19th century. This time was a period of technological advancement and increased efficiency within the work force and day to day American life. As machines were invented that could perform tasks at a quicker rate than humans, robots and other machines began to take their places--mainly because they were more cost effective (The USA). While this affected blue collar work, it also impacted other industries as well, including creative industry. American society was now moving at higher rate, expecting more things in less time, and this ideology became a fabric of American culture. 

i, Robot
via: madeinatlantis

The idea of efficiency and the desire for productivity over humanity has been seen throughout many different films and stories shown to the American public as representations of effectiveness being greater than everything else. The movie iRobot follows the story of robots being used as forms of police in the community, but ultimately they turn against humans and a battle ensues. The film speaks on the issue of robots replacing people, while at times it can be more effective, at what cost?

In relation to art, robots are also being used to produce, but rather than replace people the two are paired together. According to the Robotiq, people pair their love of robotics and art to quite simply create robots that can produce art. Some use computer software, some use Artificial Intelligence, and some design machines that are capable of producing various designs, paintings, etc (Davids). One could also argue that the act and process of creating a robot is art and expression in itself. 

Senseless Drawing Bot
via: designboom

Sources:

A.U.C., Active USA Center. “The United States of America.” History of the United States, Industrialization and Reform - TheUSAonline.com, www.theusaonline.com/history/industrialization.htm.

Davids, Mariane. “Robotics and Art: A Less Practical More Aesthetic Use for Robots.” Robotics and Art: A Less Practical More Aesthetic Use for Robots, blog.robotiq.com/robotics-and-art-a-less-practical-more-aesthetic-use-for-robots.

“I, Robot Movie Production Notes.” 2004 Movie Releases, madeinatlantis.com/movies_central/2004/robot.htm.

“Senseless Drawing Bot.” Designboom, 2 Nov. 2011, www.designboom.com/art/senseless-drawing-bot/.

Weber, Austin. “The Moving Assembly Line Turns 100.” ASSEMBLY RSS, ASSEMBLY, 7 Oct. 2013, www.assemblymag.com/articles/91581-the-moving-assembly-line-turns-100.