22 February — 8 APRIL 2006

Robotic Arts, Inflatable Aestheticism is an innovative development project which implements evolving technologies for the new generation of robotic sculpture.

Chico MacMurtrie - born in New Mexico and now residing in New York - is the Artistic Director of Amorphic Robot Works. Formed in 1992, Amorphic Robot Works is a New York-based group of artists, engineers and technicians working together to create robotic performances and installations. Chico MacMurtrie describes his vision: "The work is an ongoing endeavor to uncover the primacy of movement and sound. Each machine is inspired or influenced, both, by modern society, and what I physically experience and sense. The whole of this input informs my ideas and work." The Amorphic Society includes more than 100 interactive and computer-controlled human and abstract machines ranging in size from 30 centimetres high to 10 metres long. www.amorphicrobotworks.org

Inflatable Bodies
EXHIBITION
A New Generation of Robotic Sculpture from Amorphic Robot Works
Featherweight and inflatable, the giant 'performing' installation from Amorphic Robot Works is a new kind of robotic sculpture - one that responds to your every move. With its four, ceiling-high telescoping totem poles and 10-metre long artery system, the creator Chico MacMurtrie and his ground-breaking group of artists and engineers have created an anthropomorphic and highly interactive installation. Employing pioneering robotic and construction techniques, the 'inflatable body' sculpture explores the parallels that exist between humans and machines, and MacMurtrie's fascination with a machine's ability to depict the most primal aspects of the human condition.

3-19 March: 10-5 Daily; 20 March-8 April: 11-5 Tues-Fri; 2-5 Sat; Admission Free

WORKSHOP
The Creation of Robotic Arts
Workshop Leader: Chico MacMurtrie

The Robotic Arts Workshop will serve as a practical and theoretical platform for the creation of new generations of robotic sculpture and installation, developed by Chico MacMurtrie and Amorphic Robot Works. The event will urge the creation of robotic arts by Australian artists, as the Workshop provides a hands-on exploration of robotic technologies. Drawn from national registration, artists and robot makers will take part in the workshop and assist Chico MacMurtrie in the building of the robotic structures for the exhibition. ChicoMacMurtrie and two other crew members from Amorphic Robot Works are conducting the Robotic Arts Workshop in relation to their upcoming exhibition at the Experimental Art Foundation entitled Inflatable Bodies : A New Generation of Robotic Sculpture from Amorphic Robot Works as part of the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts 2006. (The exhibition will take place in the period March 2 - April 8, 2006)

ARW will arrive with new work created specifically for the installation, and will be equipped with the tools to create new site specific inflatable robotic elements from scratch.

The Workshop will allow participants to get involved in all of the aspects of completing this complex installation, including: sewing new inflatables, gluing new inflatables, installing feedback sensors, programming max, and other midi software, hooking up pneumatic systems, wiring, modeling components on the computer, using rhino, lamina design and solid works, welding aluminum parts.

Workshop Dates: February 24 - March 7, 2006
Venue: Experimental Art Foundation

Australian Artists of all types and technicians interested in art can come together each bringing their talent and hopefully walking away with new incite and skill to contribute to there own work. After the installation opens on Thursday 2 March, the Workshop will continue to introduce new elements to the installation each day.

Please contact EAF if you can lend the following equipment and or skills :
-Aluminum welder/metal workshop;
-Computer that can run or have installed the following cad packages: Solid Works Rhino, Lamina Design;
-Industrial sewing machines;
-Expert in max and servo control

Registration: You can express your interest to take part in the workshop by e-mail to director at eaf.asn.au
Please write ROBOTIC ARTS WORKSHOP in the Subject line.
The deadline to express interest is February 1, 2006.
Capacity of the workshop: 8 - 12 participants will be selected for the workshop.
The registration for the Workshop is free.
Travel and stay for the interstate participants is at cost to the participant.

PRESENTATIONS
Chico MacMurtrie will give two free presentations in Adelaide:
4-6pm Monday 6 March: Public Lecture on 'The Creation of Robotic Arts', Mercury Cinema, Lion Arts Centre, 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide

10.30am-12.30pm Tuesday 7 March: Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts 2006 Artists' Week Panel Discussion, Elder Hall, University of Adelaide

PUBLICATION
A comprehensive catalogue with information about the project will be available.

Chico MacMurtrie will be in Adelaide from mid-February and available for interviews. Contact Melentie Pandilovski, Director, Experimental Art Foundation, +61 (0)8 82117505 for further information.