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Examining robots through organic materials
Artist Antonius Kho examines the relationship between humans and robots through a series of artworks celebrating humanity and machinery amid digital and technology advances.
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Spellbound: A mother and her son stand transfixed by Let’s Sing Together, Magic Mushroom and I’m A Dog Face during an exhibition at Artotel Thamrin in Central Jakarta on May 9, 2024 . Artist Antonius Kho’s "Love Robots" exhibition explored the relationship between humanity and robots as well as other technology in a whimsical light.
(JP/Tunggul Wirajuda)
T
he robot transfixed the eye with its grotesquely automatic but lively stance, not least when The Jakarta Post observed the contraption on May 9. Titled I’m Oval by its creator, Indonesian artist Antonius Kho, one could almost see the contraption as it moved its arms and legs like a state-of-the-art Humpty Dumpty.
Yet the mixed media on canvas threads that made up the contraption’s body seemed to reflect a warmth and humanity beneath the machine’s impersonal automation.
The effect is a far cry from the sentient cyborgs that one is used to seeing in films such as Robocop in the franchise of the same name, or Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 in Terminator 2 and 3.
Another mixed media work reflected a more whimsical touch that belied the mechanics of the subject. Called One Family, the piece reflected technology’s way of bringing people around the world together. While one could almost hear the whirring of its limbs as it moved and gyrated to an unknown, musical beat, the robots could give their human counterparts a run for their money with their lively movements and dynamic rhythms.
Examining the relationship between humanity and machinery
I’m Oval and One Family were among the 17 works of art featured in “Love Robots”. Held at Artotel in Central Jakarta’s Thamrin district until Sunday, the exhibition was Antonius’ artistic take on the relationship between humans and robots.
