Robo-Improvisation Arena
Collaboration with Käthe Wenzel
Space on Dobbin, 50-52 Dobbin Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Nearest subways:
L to Bedford Ave; G to Nassau
Project Description
Have you ever controlled a robot or conducted an orchestra? ” Artists John Roach and Käthe Wenzel say, “You can do both in one go!” Their “Robo-Improvisation Arena” at Space on Dobbin turns the gallery into a “collective art coliseum.” The audience activates five remote-controlled robots, or “artbots”, designed by Berlin artist Käthe Wenzel. Bearing charged brushes and such heraldic names as “Pablo, Hellraiser Off Canvas”, “Fightin’ Gal Frida,” and “Andy Popsicle,” the artbots move around the 8 foot-square arena. As they pass magnetic fields in the installation, designed by sound artist John Roach, they trigger colored lights and signal musicians to improvise. But the musicians also must follow the artbots’ painted marks like an evolving graphic score.
Exhibition Press Release
ALMA ON DOBBIN PRESENTS:
Exhibition Title:
John Roach and Käthe Wenzel: “Robo-Improvisation Arena”
Exhibition Dates: November 6 through November 15, 2009
Opening Reception: Friday Nov. 6th 6.30-9.30 PM
2nd Evening event: Friday Nov. 13th 6.30 – 9.30 PM
Special children’s event: Sunday Nov. 15th noon – 3 PM
“Have you ever controlled a robot or conducted an orchestra? ” Artists John Roach and Käthe Wenzel say, “You can do both in one go!” Their “Robo-Improvisation Arena” at Space on Dobbin turns the gallery into a “collective art coliseum.” The audience activates five remote-controlled robots, or “artbots”, designed by Berlin artist Käthe Wenzel. Bearing charged brushes and such heraldic names as “Pablo, Hellraiser Off Canvas”, “Fightin’ Gal Frida,” and “Andy Popsicle,” the artbots move around the 8 foot-square arena. As they pass magnetic fields in the installation, designed by sound artist John Roach, they trigger colored lights and signal musicians to improvise. But the musicians also must follow the artbots’ painted marks like an evolving graphic score.
The installation is a collectively operated system of color, sound, and movement. The result can be a duet between an artbot and a soloist, or an interactive symphony.
“I am interested in setting up open experiments that the audience completes,” says John Roach. “The results of this piece depend on your presence and your choices. You’re invited to embrace uncertainty, expectation and curiosity. You never know who’s in control.” For Käthe Wenzel, “Robo-Improvisation Arena” reflects the dynamics of urban life, which we all produce and participate in daily. It is also emblematic of the collective production of culture, crossing temporal, geographic, and personal boundaries. This points away from the mechanisms of the art market, including the role of the ‘heroic’ artist as the generator of art history.
The installation functions with live musicians performing on Friday Nov. 6th,, 6.30-9.30 PM (musicians: Irene Fong, John McQueeney, Paul Corio) & Friday Nov. 13th, 6.30-9.30 PM (musicians: Glendon Jones, Benjamin Bacon, Charles Goldman). At other times, visitors operate artbots accompanied by recorded music.
Address: Space on Dobbin, 50-52 Dobbin Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Nearest subways: L to Bedford Ave; G to Nassau St.
Contact info: PH: 718-864-0085
e-mail: [email protected]
URL: www.almaondobbin.org
Hours: Fridays 6.30-9.30 PM; Saturday & Sunday: noon to 6 PM;
Admission: Free. Alma on Dobbin is a not-for-profit foundation.
Donations to support our activities are welcome.
Preliminary Robo-Improv Drawings
Robo-Improv images
Robot Kids Workshop images
