Established and emerging artists from central Victoria have provided a fascinating creative response to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technologies in a new exhibition opening at Dudley House on View Street from Friday June 14 to Monday June 24.
The Robots are Coming! exhibition has been curated by Ivan Sun, who is a multimedia artist, software engineer and educator specialising in creative works that integrate art, technology, and education.
Participating regional artists include Aimee Chapman, CreateA, Julia Day, Mr Dimples, Paul Fletcher, Heidi Franklin, Wes Franklin, Annelise Henderson, Martin Lee, John O'Loughlin, Bridie Margaret O'Toole, Andre Sardone, Steven Stanley, Lauren Starr, Ivan Sun, Claire E Tennant, Sarah Wallace-Smith, Kain White.
The free exhibition features a unique mix of works from paintings, prints and other 2D works, sculptures, ceramic works, video, and virtual artworks, including an animation video featuring Aimee Chapman's song, Something, and augmented reality robots situated in Dudley House and garden.
At the conclusion of the free exhibition, creative work and messages from the artists responding to the exhibition theme will be archived in a digital time capsule and presented to the City of Greater Bendigo, with the request that it be reopened in 12 years' time.
The central Victorian community and visitors are also invited to include their written entries for the time capsule by popping them into a collection box at the exhibition.
Mr Sun said the exhibition reflected an interesting moment in society with fast-moving advances in technology.
"Every day we are bombarded in the news, social media and technology news about how artificial intelligence will change our society profoundly, and with wildly ranging sentiments. Will it be a utopic or dystopic future with AI?" Ivan Sun said.
"From my perspective as an artist and a software engineering educator and practitioner, the present moment is a special time in history where there is heightened anticipation of AI and robots, and speculation about their impact on the livelihood of artists and members of the community.
"The Robots are Coming! is an opportunity for artists to capture their responses to the impact of AI and innovative technologies in a creative way and have this captured as a time capsule for local history.
"It's also an opportunity for community discussion with contributions also welcome for the time capsule, so we are all hopefully more informed and prepared as increasing AI-related technology impacts are felt."
Twelve years for the opening of the time capsule is regarded by many experts in advanced technologies as the time period for unimaginable changes to society and our lives.
Manager Bendigo Venues & Events (BV&E) Julie Amos said it was an exciting exhibition for the community.
"With so much talk about the use of AI and robots, The Robots are Coming! exhibition is extraordinary, unique and thought-provoking as new technologies affect all of our lives in some way, even if we don't know the full extent of it yet." Ms Amos said.
"It's an opportunity to explore how local creatives and the community feel about rapid changes in technology that are happening right now.
"The time capsule is a wonderful idea to capture our fears, optimism, and thoughts in 2024 about our changing world and how these will compare in 12 years' time.
"BV&E is delighted to provide support for the exhibition through our Artists on View program which includes free exhibition venue space at Dudley House, City technical support, assistance with promotion and a cash contribution towards exhibition costs.
"This is the third Artists on View exhibition in 2024 and three more are planned this year."
The free exhibition is open from 11am to 5pm daily from Friday June 14 to Monday June 24, 2024, at Dudley House, 60 View Street.
