robotlab
matthias gommel
martina haitz
jan zappe
       deutsch



       robotlab












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robotlab works with industrial robots in public spaces. It explores the relationship between man and machine by means of installations and performances.

robots will play a significant role in future societies and will invade more and more human domains. The most prevalent robots today are industrial robots. Their number is rapidly increasing worldwide and has already exceeded one million. Their mechanical and electronical capabilities grow with the continual development. The direct coupling of precise mechanics and information processing electronics results in a powerful technology which is discussed in the sciences as 'artificial intelligence' and 'artificial life'.

Until now, people haven't had much chance to meet robots neither in public nor in private spaces. robots are mostly situated in special industrial spaces. Thus, humans do not have contact with them, do not experience how they behave and do not know how to behave correctly with them. Today, social patterns between man and machines do not exist. Instead there are only fictional images from science fiction literature and films.

robotlab creates experimental situations in exhibition spaces, in which the public has the opportunity to interact with robots. The massive appearance of the robots, the movements and the machine sounds effect the visitor, are interpretated individually and evoke ideas which may lay in the field of practical purposes as well as formulate an utopian image of a future culture with man and machine.
robotlab is founded 2000 by Matthias Gommel, Martina Haitz and Jan Zappe. The free artist group is associated to the Institute of Visual Media at the ZKM - Center of Art and Media Karlsruhe, Deutschland.