Artist's statement (FAQ style)
Q: You always do the same robot. Does he have a name?
A: Well, it's not a "he" is it? It's an "it". Robots have no gender or race or age unless you assign them one, which is a big part of why I enjoy drawing robots. Characters like robots, in terms of the multicultural idea of "windows and mirrors" are so vague that they kind of form a mirror/window combo. Unless you're a robot, then they're mirrors.
And it's not even really the same robot- I just like the look of this design.
Q: Why do you paint robots?
A: It's all really a study on what it means to be human, and how that might change in the coming years. If a lot of what makes humans unique is chalked up to our massive intelligence, and if artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence, does this mean that artificial intelligence will start thinking like humans?
Will computers and robots one day seek to be entertained? Will some of them crave to make art or write songs or something? Will they develop morals? Will robots visit zoos because they think animals are cool and interesting? Will computers develop an interest in the natural world?
And what does it mean for humans if this happens?
These paintings explore this concept by depicting robots doing human things like interacting with cats, conserving nature, goofing around on a phone, etc. They ask, do we do the weird, uniquely human stuff that we do because of our intelligence- or is there something else to being a human? Discuss.
Q: Did you just "pivot" so you can write your artist statement?
A: Yes.
Q: Why watercolor? It's so hard!
A: Yeah, watercolor is tricky since you can't really cover up mistakes. But generally the more watery a paint is, the easier it is to control (think about spreading catsup around vs spreading toothpaste) so I find I have more control with watercolor than acrylic or oil.
A: Well, it's not a "he" is it? It's an "it". Robots have no gender or race or age unless you assign them one, which is a big part of why I enjoy drawing robots. Characters like robots, in terms of the multicultural idea of "windows and mirrors" are so vague that they kind of form a mirror/window combo. Unless you're a robot, then they're mirrors.
And it's not even really the same robot- I just like the look of this design.
Q: Why do you paint robots?
A: It's all really a study on what it means to be human, and how that might change in the coming years. If a lot of what makes humans unique is chalked up to our massive intelligence, and if artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence, does this mean that artificial intelligence will start thinking like humans?
Will computers and robots one day seek to be entertained? Will some of them crave to make art or write songs or something? Will they develop morals? Will robots visit zoos because they think animals are cool and interesting? Will computers develop an interest in the natural world?
And what does it mean for humans if this happens?
These paintings explore this concept by depicting robots doing human things like interacting with cats, conserving nature, goofing around on a phone, etc. They ask, do we do the weird, uniquely human stuff that we do because of our intelligence- or is there something else to being a human? Discuss.
Q: Did you just "pivot" so you can write your artist statement?
A: Yes.
Q: Why watercolor? It's so hard!
A: Yeah, watercolor is tricky since you can't really cover up mistakes. But generally the more watery a paint is, the easier it is to control (think about spreading catsup around vs spreading toothpaste) so I find I have more control with watercolor than acrylic or oil.