Week 3: Robotics and Art

The Pearl Tower

  Robotics have given artists the ability to create "art" through a different facet. Artists in this day and age have new tools such as cameras, computer softwares, and other technologies to express their ideas. However, in Walter Benjamin's essay "The Work of Art in The Age of Mechanical Reproduction," he believes that art produced by technology loses its uniqueness (Benjamin 1). I completely disagree with his belief. Architects for one would not be able to create such revolutionary designs without the help of robotics or technology. For an example, the Pearl Tower, a 1,535 feet high building, is based on a Tang Dynasty poem and incorporates Chinese culture. It is the second tallest building in China back when it was built in 1994, it represented China's emerging dominance as a nation. The building is an artistic expression of China's bright future.
  CGI, or computer-generated imagery, is used to create special effects. It is used for visual effects because the quality is often higher and effects are more controllable and allows the creation of images that would not be feasible using any other technology (Science Daily). I believe it is also a kind of art and helps people see things that aren't in real life. For an example, most of the imagery or objects in Avatar were created with CGI. 60% of Avatar's imagery was produced through CGI (Outlaw). It allowed viewers to see the unimaginable. Another way to put it is when reading the Harry Potter series. J. K. Rowling uses words to describe characters and places for the readers. However, through the movie's, the audience can see the magical world in which Harry Potter lives in. The producers of the movies also give their interpretation of what the Harry Potter world looks like as well.

Avatar

Filming of Harry Potter

  The use of robotics has produced new kinds of art. New technology has given architects the ability to create gigantic masterpieces. And for movie producers, viewers are able to see a world unimaginable to the mind. And that is art. The ability to express your ideas through a medium.

Citations:

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008.   Print.

"Computer-generated Imagery." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai, EMPORIS.” Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai EMPORIS.   N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Outlaw, Kofi. "The Crazy Tech Behind James Cameron’s Avatar." Screen Rant. N.p., 08 Aug. 2008.     Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Russo, Tom. "How Four Different Directors Redefined the Way We See Harry Potter and His               World." Boston.com. The New York Times, 10 July 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.