Life Imagined: The Art and Science of Automata
From the Greek word automatos, meaning “moves on its own,” automata are the first complex machines produced by man. “Life Imagined: The Art and Science of Automata” features 41 automata by 15 artists from around the world. Long before robots were the reality they are today, automata were created as an attempt to simulate nature and domesticate natural forces. From a towering birdhouse occupied by a Cowbird chick to a man rowing a boat while a fish leaps out of “water” and a tribute to the “Day of the Dead,” the automata featured in “Life Imagined” are highly eclectic and span centuries and continents.
These attempts to imitate life by mechanical means and the use of these principles have in turn resulted in the evolution of technology over centuries. From objects of entertainment and awe, automata became the foundation for advancements in industrial robotics. “Life Imagined – The Art and Science of Automata” is open through Sept. 29, 2019, and is included with general admission.
