Three Boston Dynamic robot dogs are currently undergoing training to paint for the next exhibition for the National Gallery of Victoria. The robodogs will be trained over four months by famous artist Agnieszka Pilat.
(Photo : WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
Polish artist Agnieszka Pilat poses with the artwork of her robot painting dogs - Basia Spot and Bunny Spot - who have become artists painting on canvases with their paws, at the launch of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Triennial 2023 in Melbourne on April 5, 2023.
Art by Boston Dynamics Robodogs
The National Gallery of Victoria is set to add a group of unexpected artists for its next exhibition. According to Interesting Engineering, three robot dogs from Boston Dynamics will be trained by Agnieszka Pilat for four months to paint for the exhibition using sticks of oil paint on an acrylic ground canvas, attached to NGV Triennial in Melbourne, Australia.
The three robodogs will be programmed to understand a range of commands in order for them to execute whatever they see fit, including arm movement directions, several pressures on painting through the canvas, and using dots or lines to the process.
As per Pilat, she sees one of the robodogs named 'Basia' as her companion during training and she will miss it while it paints in Melbourne for the exhibit. "It is like having a small child - at some point, you have to let the child get on the bus by themselves; that is how this feels," the artist added.
Painting robodogs were described by the artist as a new ruling class that will produce portraits that reflect power in society. She compared this scenario to painting celebrities like Andy Warhol and as the new ruling class rises, that power is going towards the machines.
NGV Triennial
The collaboration between Pilat and three Boston Dynamics robodogs are among the 100 artists and designers taking part in the National Galleria of Victoria Triennial, alongside Yoko Ono, Tracey Emin, and Paris Haute couture house Schiaparelli.
As per NGV's press release, this reveals an extraordinary exhibition to showcase emerging artists and designers and their response to the most relevant and critical global issues of our time. NGV Triennial aims to establish a lasting legacy for Victoria that will leave an impact to future generations.
After the four-month training, the famous painter will be handing over Basia to NGV, along with Bonnie and Archie. This was her second collaboration with Boston Dynamics as Pilat was already commissioned to paint a portrait for one of the robodogs named 'Spot', where she came to know the machines more intimately.
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The Guardian reported that Pilat was known for working with her collectors like telecommunications billionaire Craig McCaw and former Waymo Chief Executive Officer John Krafcik. She was also commissioned to create art for the latest Matrix film. She previously said that working with tech billionaires makes her feel like singing their songs.
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