‘Machinic Trajectories’: Appropriated Devices as Post-Digital Drawing Machines

Andres Wanner

doi:10.7559/citarj.v6i1.130

Andres Wanner Emily Carr University of Art and Design | Vancouver | Canada; Simon Fraser University | Vancouver | Canada; Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts HSLU | Lucerne | Switzerland; University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW | Basel | Switzerland.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7559/citarj.v6i1.130

Keywords: Analog, Computer graphics, Digital, Drawing Machines, Generative, Glitch, Media Arts, Post-digital, Robotics.

Abstract

This article presents a series of works called Machinic Trajectories, consisting of domestic devices appropriated as mechanical drawing machines. These are contextualized within the post-digital discourse, which integrates messy analog conditions into the digital realm. The role of eliciting and examining glitches for investigating a technology is pointed out. Glitches are defined as short-lived, unpremeditated aesthetic results of a failure; they are mostly known as digital phenomena, but I argue that the concept is equally applicable to the output of mechanical machines. Three drawing machines will be presented: The Opener, The Mixer and The Ventilator. In analyzing their drawings, emergent patterns consisting of unpremeditated visual artifacts will be identified and connected to irregularities of the specific technologies. Several other artists who work with mechanical and robotic drawing machines are introduced, to situate the presented works and reflections in a larger context of practice and to investigate how glitch concepts are applicable to such mechanical systems.

Author Biography

Andres Wanner is a Swiss-Canadian artist, interaction designer and educator. His interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of art and technology investigates rule-based systems – drawing machines, robots and generative computer programs. He likes to tinker, invent and to play. The exploration of inaccuracies and glitches of technology play a major role in his work. Currently a design research associate at HSLU University Lucerne, Switzerland, he has taught at art and design universities across Europe and North America for more than a decade. With an MSc in Physics, an MAA in Visual Arts and a BA in Visual Communications, his interdisciplinary academic background is complemented with many years of industry experience in interaction design. His artistic work has been exhibited in major international exhibitions such as SIGGRAPH, IDEAS, New Forms Festival, Re-new Festival, Artech, Hyperkult, interfiction, xCoAx, Expressive and he has acted as the arts chair of the Computational Aesthetics conference 2011.

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