Robot Love with Kirsty Boyle
Making robots at The Edge is no longer the stuff of dreams. During our DIY tech quarter you can expect some hands on interaction with elements of robotics culture.
International robotics artist Kirsty Boyle, is one of our DIY Tech Residents. Over the next three months she will be bringing her knowledge of Japanese robot puppetry back to her base, Brisbane. During her residency Kirsty will curate live robotics theatre, showcasing local and international artists, as well as host workshops and present a screen based exhibition, abstraction contraption.
We asked Kirsty some questions about her craft and the wonderful world of robots:
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?
I grew up here in Queensland and I originally trained as a puppeteer. I’ve always worked with technology as well, so I went and studied mechanical and electrical engineering and decided I wanted to make robots. I also studied the Japanese language and later found out about this mechanical doll making tradition, Karakuri, in Japan. In 2002 I had an opportunity to go to Japan and train with the only remaining master of this tradition.
Why did you decide to learn more about Japanese robotic puppetry?
What really motivated me was that there was only a really small amount of information available in English. I just wanted to go to Japan and find out myself what it was all about. The Japanese people see mechanical doll making tradition as their secret to being creative. This is one of the reasons why I love robots; this whole idea of starting with puppets, something real that’s tactile and that I can touch and I can physically interact with. For me working with robots is an embodied form of technology, it’s real.
Why did you choose to bring your skills to The Edge?
It’s exciting for me to be back here [in Brisbane]. I’ve been based overseas for many years now, and growing up Queensland, I would have loved to have access to a place like this. When this residency came up I was so excited, and I really want to try and make some connections with contacts I have overseas and build this network but connect it back here to Australia. I’ve learnt a lot being away, and I want to work here with young people and try and encourage and inspire them to pursue their creative practices.
What will you be doing during your residency at The Edge?
I’m going to be making lots of robots. There is a six-week screen-based exhibition of different robot artworks that I’m going to be showing.
I’m also doing a live show; it’s called Love the Robots that I developed last year in Switzerland. Most of the artists I’ve involved in the Love the Robots network are all very hands on and DIY, we all physically make our own robotic art works and we see working with electronics and programming as our craft. The network is based remote participation; most of these artists are working in their studios in whatever country they’re in. You’ll get a really intimate view of their practice, and often the public doesn’t get to see inside the studios.
I’ll also be doing some workshops, which I haven’t quite finished devising yet.
How can Edge users get involved?
Sign up for the workshops when they become available.
Come along to the live shows. During the shows you will be able to ask questions and interact with the artists, also everything is streamed online and people will be able to ask questions and chat. You won’t have to physically be here at The Edge to be a part of this.
What will Edge users be able to learn from you during your residency?
I hope that they learn more about DIY art and robot art in general and I hope to inspire people and de-mystify what it is to be working with technology in a creative way. I plan to spend much of my time working up here [Level 1] and having stuff out so that people come up and watch me and just have a chat.
For those playing at home who want to know more about you, and what you do, where should they look?
My website, it’s very basic at the moment but it’s all about to change.
Finally a few quick questions.
What are the first three tabs you open in a new browser window? Gmail, make, reddit.
What is the first mobile phone you ever owned? Nokia.
The one piece of technology you couldn’t live without? Computer.
Geekiest habit or hobby? Being online.
Want to learn more? Here are some links that Kirsty suggests as good resources for DIY robotics:
Karakuri is focussed on archiving and making information available about the Karakuri Ningyo tradition in English. Onnai is Kirsty Boyle’s website and contains information about her creative practice, past works, and down other interesting paths her life has taken her.
You can also register to be attend the Love the Robots live shows on 15 or 28 January.
Filed Under: DIY Tech • Events • Free stuff
