Disarming II

Abstract

Disarming II is a performative exploration of the relationship between a robotic arm, its artificial environment, and human observers. An industrial robotic arm is placed freely on a gym mat, learning how to locomote. Witnessing the arm's first clumsy tries may evoke compassion or even a certain emotional bond. Historically, the ability to move on one's own was once considered a sign of being alive. While our understanding of autonomy and aliveness has evolved, our tendency to anthropomorphize remains. This work invites observers to reflect on their projections and the multiplicity of relationships between all involved entities.