PROCEEDINGS OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON ROBOTICS, MECHATRONICS AND ANIMATRONICS IN THE CREATIVE AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES AND ARTS, 12-15 April, 2005, AISB2005 at the SSAISB Convention, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK, Author, with Daniel Bisig, Narrative In Robotics Scenarios For Art Works

Narrative In Robotic Scenarios For Art Works

Daniel A. Bisig
Senior Research Assistant
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
University of Zurich
Andreasstrasse 15
CH-8050 Zürich
Switzerland
dbisig@ifi.unizh.ch

Adrianne Wortzel
Professor, Entertainment Technology And Emerging Media Technologies
New York City College of Technology
City University of New York
300 Jay Street, Room 1113
Brooklyn, New York 11201
awortzel@citytech.cuny.edu

Abstract

This paper discusses narrative as a sub-field of creative robotics. We make the premise that every robotic system (regardless of the original intention of it’s engineers) is layered with context and meaning both in itself, and in its process of coming into being. Through artistic observation and interpretation these layers can be made tangible as scenarios for art works manifested in art forms such as literature, film, installation and live performance. As a case study, we present an ongoing project entitled “archipelago.ch” which works solely with scientific robotic platforms developed at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Department of Informatics, University of Zurich, Switzerland (the “AILab”). By working with existing robotic systems originated in the AILab we move away from sculptural or choreographic concerns to develop a dramatic scenario, which is true to capabilities of a particular robot or robotic system. We argue that such scenarios are both an effective form of art expression and that they also have the potential to re-enter and inform the science from which they emerge.

archipelago.ch
Artist-In-Labs Residency

The project started in July 2004 during a five- month residency of artist Adrianne Wortzel at the AILab. This residency was part of a larger “Artists-In-Labs” residency program initiated by Jill Scott of the University of Art and Design in Zürich  The artist’s goal of this particular residency was to develop a dramatic scenario for robotic entities created at the AILab. Early on it was decided that each scenario should be adapted to its robotic actor in such a way that it not only depicts the peculiarities of the robot but also reflects the research interests and working methodologies of the participating researchers.

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