Robotics + Art


As noted by Professor Vesna, the idea of robotics was first introduced as a response to the mechanization of labor. It contributed to the growing renaissance, facilitated the scientific method, and gave rise to mass production with the invention of new machines, such as the metal movable type and the steam engine (Vesna). This blog post will analyze the benefits and drawbacks of the effects of industrialization on art.


Factory workers during the Industrial Revolution


Work was established as a form of labor and different modes of production in both industrial and cultural ways. One of the greatest examples of the integration between art and industrialization is the Crystal Palace in London. Built by Joseph Paxton in 1851, this exhibition structure was an ecosystem created to display technologies, art, and botanical samples from all over the world (“Crystal Palace”). This led to the public transfer of not only British culture accommodating itself as an empire, but also exhibiting other cultures of the world as well by allowing them to stage their products. By providing objects of study with exhibitions, workers and designers could gain inspiration and improve their own creations, as well as bringing new ideas and artistic techniques to their own countries. The architecture became a “paradigm for future international exhibitions or world’s fairs” (“Prince Albert's Vision of Progress”) and this global exchange marked the beginning of globalization.


Crystal Palace

On the other hand, industrialization produced several negative effects on the world of art. The Industrial Revolution caused many artists and craftsmen to lose their jobs, as manufacturing was quicker and cheaper. Many critics noted that this signified the end of the individual craft. 


Walter Benjamin mentions the concept of “aura,” the authenticity of a piece of art. He argues that mechanical reproduction destroys the uniqueness in art, therefore destroying its aura. Technology allows us to utilize a new generation of tools to reproduce any piece of art, music, or photography without degradation (Davis). Benjamin notes that “even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be” (Benjamin). Despite the beautiful cultural and architectural reactions to mechanization, industrialized production also reflected negatively upon the arts by altering the artistic experiences of original art through the removal of authenticity. 


Taking a photo of a painting


References

Art, aura and the doomed search for the perfect selfie. Digital image. The Guardian. Web. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/22/art-aura-doomed-search-perfect-selfie

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.

"Crystal Palace." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. Web. 

Crystal Palace. Digital image. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Crystal-Palace-building-London

Davis, Douglas. “The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction.” The MIT Press, 1995. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Industrial Revolution comparisons aren’t comforting as job cuts loom large. Digital Image. Mint. Web. https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/RrcXQTpEvKpC3igcsUTx9I/Industrial-Revolution-comparisons-arent-comforting-as-job-c.html

"Prince Albert's Vision of Progress: The Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851." Smithsonian Associates. 17 Nov. 2019. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. “Robotics pt1.” Robotics + Art.16 April. 2012. Lecture.

Comments

  1. ChrisApril 16, 2021 at 1:00 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Ryan WuApril 16, 2021 at 1:02 AM

    h el l o. ( :

    Your blog post makes some interesting points about the loss of "aura" being a negative consequence of industrialized society, as it seems you agree with what Benjamin is arguing. I personally think that as a result of the industrial revolution, the aura of a piece of art values much more, as not every piece is important in the context of time and space, and its rather presumptuous of Benjamin to ascribe some sort of importance to that aspect the original artist may not have even have considered. Aura is more important now, with live performance art at the forefront of unparalleled cultural influence, while the unimportant pieces can have their aura entirely disregarded, instead focusing on the fluidity of their reproducibility as they take on various forms in different hands.

    Ryan W.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chris ChaeApril 16, 2021 at 1:04 AM

    Wow Sarah, thanks for sharing your contrasting commentary on the benefits and drawbacks of the industrialization of art. I completely agree with your points that it has allowed for the sharing of arts between cultures yet at the same time I can understand Walter's sentiment. While I do love that I can play music from Spotify anywhere that I go, it will never have the same "aura of authenticity" of attending a live one of a kind concert. - Chris Chae

    ReplyDelete
  4. Elizabeth Ahne_DESMA9April 16, 2021 at 10:33 AM

    I found your blog post so interesting and I really enjoyed how you included the Crystal Palace example. I think that was a perfect example that brought all of the aspects of art and science together in a unique way! I also appreciated how you included the negatives that come with industrialization. It made your arguments and blog more credible since you focused on both the benefits and drawbacks of industrialization.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Laura GromboneApril 18, 2021 at 2:57 PM

    Hey! I thought it was very interesting that you brought the Crystal Palace to the discussion we have developed this week around the mechanization of labor. I feel like for both Architects and Art Historians, this is such an iconic moment in history that perfectly fits the theme. As I read your post, I was also reminded of the Werkbund movement, and subsequently of the first Werkbund Exhbition, which I think was also a very important turning point in the history of mass produced goods.
    - Laura G

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