ROBOTLAB (DE)

bios [Bible]

Photographie de l'exposition bios [Bible] dans laquelle un robot écrit la bible de Luther.

© robotlab

matthias gommel, martina haitz, jan zappe

Du mercredi 9 au dimanche 20 mai
15h-19h

Première française

Un robot industriel écrit en allemand la bible de Luther.

« Rompant avec des traductions précédentes et en recherchant une meilleure qualité de traduction, la publication complète de l’Ancien et du Nouveau Testament en 1534 est le premier exemple de communication de masse, rendu possible une technologie nouvelle pour l’époque : l’imprimerie. La Bible de Luther traduit en une langue accessible à tous brisa définitivement la domination et de l’unité de l’Église catholique romaine en Europe occidentale. En effet, en diffusant très largement le texte et en attribuant à l’Écriture sainte l’autorité ultime, Luther mettait hors jeu l’autorité des ecclésiastiques, chaque chrétien pouvant, grâce à sa traduction de la Bible, accéder aux sources d’autorité. »

Habituellement utilisé pour la production industrielle (KUKA Roboter Augsburg) , le robot est intégré à un dispositif artistique comme un agent créatif autonome. C’est au ZKM (Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie Karlsruhe), le Centre d’Art et Média de Karlsruhe, que les artistes Matthias Gommel, Martina Haitz et Jan Zappe fondent le collectif robotlab. Ils collaborent depuis avec l’institution.

« bios : basic input output system » ou le module qui coordonne les échanges entre la machine et son système d’exploitation.

The installation ‘bios [bible]’ consists of an industrial robot, which writes down the bible on rolls of paper. The machine draws the calligraphic lines with high precision. Like a monk in the scriptorium it creates step by step the text. Starting with the old testament and the books of Moses ‘bios [bible]’ produces within nine month continuously the whole book. All 66 books of the bible are written on rolls and then retained and presented in the library of the installation. ‘bios [bible]’ is focussing on the questions of faith and technical progress. The installation correlates two cultural systems which are fundamental for societies today – religion and scientific rationalism. In this contexts scripture has all times an elementary function, as holy scripture or as formal writing of knowledge. In computer technology ‘basic input output system’ (bios) designates the module which basicaly coordinates the interchange between hard- and software. Therefore it contains the indispensable code, the essential program writing, on which every further program can be established.

‘bios [bible]’ writes currently on German in Schwabacher calligraphy and on Spanish and Portuguese in Round Gothic calligraphy. Further Versions for English and Cyrillic are planned.

robotlab works with industrial robots in public spaces. It explores the relationship between man and machine by means of installations and performances. Robots will play a significant role in future societies and will invade more and more human domains. The most prevalent robots today are industrial robots. Their number is rapidly increasing worldwide and has already exceeded one million. Their mechanical and electronical capabilities grow with the continual development. The direct coupling of precise mechanics and information processing electronics results in a powerful technology which is discussed in the sciences as ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘artificial life’. Until now, people haven’t had much chance to meet robots neither in public nor in private spaces. Robots are mostly situated in special industrial spaces. Thus, humans do not have contact with them, do not experience how they behave and do not know how to behave correctly with them. Today, social patterns between man and machines do not exist. Instead there are only fictional images from science fiction literature and films. robotlab creates experimental situations in exhibition spaces, in which the public has the opportunity to interact with robots. The massive appearance of the robots, the movements and the machine sounds effect the visitor, are interpretated individually and evoke ideas which may lay in the field of practical purposes as well as formulate an utopian image of a future culture with man and machine. robotlab is founded 2000 by Matthias Gommel, Martina Haitz and Jan Zappe. The free artist group is associated to the IcnosmtmitutneauotéfsVinisteurcaolnMneecdtéieas.at the ZKM – Center of Art and Media Karlsruhe, Deutschland.

www.robotlab.de

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