Humans and machines: The possibilities are endless

Contemporary art and pop culture often are inclined to portray near-future human/robot interaction as fraught with danger: artificial intelligence evolving into sentient beings, power-hungry machines hell-bent on replacing irrational mankind’s society with a cold and calculating existence devoid of soul.

After a 13-month medical leave, I wanted to go in a new direction with my art. I’ve always enjoyed creating robot sculptures, and actually the last piece I did before the surgeries hinted at where I was headed. “Partners” is a sculpture I did for a Home Fur-Ever fundraiser, the no-kill rescue we adopted Woodson from 12 years ago, and, more recently, April. It portrays a machine and his mutt, the robot figure leaning on his walking stick, each enjoying the presence of the other, as they’ve obviously been best friends for quite some time.

The question is this: What if artificial intelligence evolves spiritually too? Instead of merely existing to fulfill their programming, robots develop those intangible traits that make life worth living? Science fiction has explored the concept before, but more often than not the end result is a crash and burn, neither side understanding the other, one side ruling and the other revolting, or even a mutually assured destruction scenario.

My idea is different. Man and machine together as a formidable force, working together for a hope-filled future, each leaning on the other to overcome their respective weaknesses.

The first sculpture I did after returning to work is titled “Co-Exist,” a ballet duet. The graceful female human figure is dancing in step with a masculine robot; the juxtaposed beauty and beast, working together in harmony.

After that came a motorcycle sculpture, “Still Kickin’.” It’s an old Harley knucklehead bobber, with a contemporary robot kick-starting it. I like the idea of the android appreciating not only his mechanical predecessors, but also the shared history of man and machine and where they’ve come from.

The latest is another piece to raise money for Home Fur-Ever, and it shows a robot engaging in some fun deceit with his pup. “The Oldest Trick in the Book” is a glimpse into a not-so-distant future where a self-aware bucket of bolts plays “chase the ball I didn’t throw” with his best friend.

It’s not quite as stark as imagining a Skynet takeover or I, Robot revolt, or even a postapocalyptic landscape where we’ve returned to our agricultural roots. But in my mind, it’s a fun alternative with limitless possibilities. And the parallels with how I create my art, my creativity pushed through a modern welding machine’s torch, are apparent. The strength of human will and spirit joined with the power and permanence of machines could be a fascinating future.

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