Essay -- 23/24 Cultural Machines
Using the Notions of the Mechanical or the Machinic to Explore 'Our' Relationship with Machines
This essay investigates the evolving relationship between humans and machines through the lens of contemporary art and theoretical discourse. Drawing on concepts of the mechanical and machinic, it explores how interactions with machines have shifted from simple extensions of human capability to complex systems that influence behaviour, perception, and social structures. Central to the discussion are immersive digital artworks by the Japanese art collective teamLab, as well as works by artists Pierre Huyghe and Olafur Eliasson, which challenge traditional boundaries between humans, machines, and the environment.
The essay examines the transformation of human-machine relationships through the theoretical frameworks of Gilbert Simondon and Bruno Latour, highlighting the dynamic and reciprocal interactions between humans and technology. Using examples from teamLab’s Borderless Shanghai exhibition, the research illustrates how immersive digital installations foster collaboration between audiences and machines, creating fluid ecological systems where art evolves through interaction.
By analyzing the intersections of technology, culture, and identity, the essay argues for a shift toward a more integrated and coexistent relationship between humans and machines in the digital age. This exploration contributes to a deeper understanding of how contemporary art reflects—and actively shapes—the changing role of technology in society.