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A dialectical notion in and of itself, sensitivity defines the degree of responsiveness and, at the same time, a low level of resistance to something. Sensitive Situations is a collection of seven artworks founded on an incessant friction between robotic sensing and immunological (in)effectiveness, between precision and fragility.

Edward Ihnatowicz (PL/GB) Senster
Measuring over five meters in length an interactive kinetic sculpture which was constructed in the 1960s as a milestone of robotics has recently been reassembled to reveal the techno-optimistic mindset of its time, showcased through the combination of technological power and visionary artistry. Senster is an empathetic and feeling machine furnished with senses.

Patrick Tresset (FR/UK) 5 Robots Named Paul
The split, rhizomatic Paul sees the world in five different ways. His iterations differ in the perspectives of perception (all of them modelled on the artist) as well as in its setup, which depends on the transmitter in the form of a camera. The robot(s) become(s) a portraitist whose expressive powers and ultimate works differ (despite imitating Tresset’s strokes) as each of them looks at the same object, capturing divergent nuances.

Carolin Liebl + Nikolas Schmid-Pfähler (DE) Vincent and Emily
Human relations are transferred into an automated world. The relationship of two robots depends on the coding and decoding of messages by the other party. Sounds and moves serve as a transmitter of anthropomorphic emotions and expressions of love or hatred. Suspended in an endless symbiosis, the process of incessant change of status goes on unfolding.

Xavery Deskur Wolski (PL) Olga Demo
A male produces a female robot from a bag, re-enacting the gesture of woman’s formation out of Adam’s rib. Yet the performative presentation of Olga Demo, rather than reasserting the patriarchal vision of creation, seeks to stage a robotic, Batlebian protest in predestination and to mount feminist resistance to the a-priori determined path.

Karl Heinz Jeron (DE) Hermes Opera
A robotic libretto based on anonymous recordings of people’s phone conversations. It spins a classic tale on the immortal themes of Eros and Thanatos as re-interpreted by organisms interconnected by copper wires. Based on universal human concerns, the opera displays both a supra-human universality of the robotic performance and the illusory nature of this universality, as the interpretation strays far away from the expectations of the audience, which is used to dispelled illusions and maudlin emotions.

Katrin Hochschuh (DE) + Adam Donovan (AU) Empathy Swarm
An emergetic , machinic swarm collectively responds to the changing environment. Human presence in Empathy Swarm generates reactions of approval or fear in small beings, which are interconnected into one superorganism and empathize with each other. The robotic species waits for other companion entities to join in, endeavoring to expand by adding new allies in co-being and co-existence.

Daniel Bisig (CH) + Tatsuo Unemi (JP) Cycles
The installation explores the relationship between the real and the virtual. As a human hand appears in the space of Cycles, previously non-existent organisms start to proliferate and co-exist on the human skin. The cycle of life commences when heat and the cohabitation space arise.

 

MONDAY
Edward Ihnatowicz (PL/GB)
Senster
documentation of the installation
National Museum’s Four Domes Pavilion
18th Media Art Biennale WRO 2019 CZYNNIK LUDZKI | HUMAN ASPECT

TUESDAY
Patrick Tresset (FR/GB)
5 Robots Named Paul
documentation of the installation
University Library in Wrocław
16th Media Art Biennale WRO 2015 Test Exposure

WEDNESDAY
Carolin Liebl + Nikolas Schmid-Pfähler (DE)
Vincent and Emily
documentation of the installation
Rings of Saturn exhibition
former Ballestrem Pallace in Wrocław
15. Media Art Biennale WRO 2013 Pioneering Values
and RenomaWRO exhibition
Eco Expanded City 2016

THURSDAY
Xavery Deskur Wolski (PL)
Olga Demo
documentation of the performance
19 May 2017
Barbara
17th Media Art Biennale WRO 2017 DRAFT SYSTEMS

FRIDAY
Karl Heinz Jeron (DE)
Hermes Opera
Rings of Saturn exhibition
former Ballestrem Palace in Wrocław
15th Media Art Biennale WRO 2013 Pioneering Values

SATURDAY
Katrin Hochschuh (DE) + Adam Donovan (AU)
Empathy Swarm
documentation of the performative installation
Grotowski Institute
Laboratory Theatre Space
18th Media Art Biennale WRO 2019 CZYNNIK LUDZKI | HUMAN ASPECT

SUNDAY
Daniel Bisig (CH) + Tatsuo Unemi (JP)
Cycles
documentation of the installation and an artist talk
Pokoyhof Passage
14th Media Art Biennale WRO 2011 Alternative Now