robotic blood printer draws ted lawson's nude self-portrait
robotic blood printer draws ted lawson’s nude self-portrait
all images courtesy of ted lawson
‘drawing blood’ takes on a different description for brooklyn-based artist ted lawson‘s ‘ghost in the machine’: a life-sized, nude self-portrait rendered from his own bodily fluid. fed intravenously to a CNC machine, lawson’s blood traverses through the mechanical parts, while a robotic arm attached to the device — programmed to trace the designated illustration — carefully maps out the human form.
‘I have always used many different technologies to create my work and the goal is usually to find a way to turn those towards something organic and human.‘ lawson tells us ‘I’m generally not into doing selfies, particularly nude ones, but when I came up with the idea to connect my blood directly to the robot CNC machine, it just made too much sense to not try one as a full nude self-portrait.’
‘in this series I’m really just trying to make a good drawing, which requires a lot of process and spontaneity to achieve. I do consider these works to be drawings and not prints, in that I allow the robot to make certain mistakes or leave in certain glitches on purpose. there are always a number of chance occurrences that happen outside of the programming which I tend to change and develop as the drawing proceeds.’
I want to show the connection between our existential humanity and the ever-expanding technology that we use, are addicted to and rely on, as something deeply personal and very real.’ says lawson of the piece’s significance ‘I’m trying to reveal the underlying code that is present in all things.’
‘ghost in the machine’ is part of the solo exhibition ‘the map is not the territory‘ at joseph gross gallery, new york from september 11th through october 4th, 2014.
lawson moves around the room while attached to the printer through an IV
the artist maintained his blood sugar during the process by drinking juice
the printer, drawing using blood
gif by designboom
waiting as the robotic blood printer draws his self-portrait
lines drawn by the robotic arm
the final work
body art (78 articles)
anatomist designs the 'perfect' human body without evolutionary flaws
misha japanwala's intimate sculptural garments expose the role of women in pakistan
david catá sews mountains, lighthouses and piano keys into his hand
DBLG x animade animation uses human skin to imprint 3D stamps
marble meets body: milena naef's stone cutouts reveal fragmented flesh
artist crafts architectural costumes mimicking famous buildings around the world
drawing machines (21 articles)
hamster-powered drawing machine by neil mendoza & joji
irish pavilion installs drawing machine to highlight dementia at the venice biennale
mirobot, a programable drawing robot for kids
art news
teamlab planets tokyo: a 'body immersive' exhibition of all-encompassing digital art
#art
on view for the next two years -- the exhibit presents developed iterations of previously-featured artworks as well as an immense new installation, spread across »
on view for the next two years -- the exhibit presents developed iterations of previously-featured artworks as well as an immense new installation, spread across 10,000 square meters.
snarkitecture opens interactive 'fun house' at the national building museum
#art
the exhibit features a collection of installations, a sequence of interactive rooms, and well-known snarkitecture environments that further delve in to the »
the exhibit features a collection of installations, a sequence of interactive rooms, and well-known snarkitecture environments that further delve in to the prolific activities of the studio.
hiroshi senju: the japanese artist who paints waterfalls
#art
senju is commonly referred to as one of the masters of 'nihonga painting, a style which emphasizes traditional japanese methods and materials.
senju is commonly referred to as one of the masters of 'nihonga painting, a style which emphasizes traditional japanese methods and materials.
iris van herpen and studio drift present an undulating time-lapse fashion show in paris
#art
'in 20 steps' is a tribute to a speculative evolution honoring the ultimate human desire to fly.
'in 20 steps' is a tribute to a speculative evolution honoring the ultimate human desire to fly.
Seems like a waste of blood when somewhere between 3 and 12 lives could have been saved if it had been donated. Blood colored ink would have worked just as well. Oh, yeah, I forgot, it takes “self” out of the self portrait. Love the finished piece, but would have loved it in ink just as well.
damn.
@RoberMilberg you serious?
Well, are you, Robert?
@Nina – It doesn’t work if it’s in ink. That would completely change the energy of the piece. The goal wasn’t just a drawing–there’s nothing new or unique about that.