Robot Loves: a little bit closer

Robot Loves: a little bit closer is a living installation, in which the audience interacts with a mechanical actor. By tracking audience's responses to light, sound and motion, the installation adapts to the preferences of the viewer.

The installation takes part in the ongoing dialogue on new art forms and offers new perspectives on transforming relationships between performers, objects, auditorium, stage, space and set. Installation explores virtual collectivity; interactive stage design, mechanical actor ́s relation to the viewer. The piece asks when does a scenic element become a performer and vice versa. Observer and the one being observed interact by electronic means.

Laura Sariola is a scenographer with a keen interest in automatons, robots and mechanical actors. In 2010, she obtained her Master of Arts degree in Scenography from Aalto University, Finland. She also holds degrees in professional puppet making and circus art teaching. Laura´s professional interests include interactive scenography, do-it-yourself robots, creative puppetry, kinetic art and living interactive installations. Her solo piece "Robot loves" premiered in 2018.

Veikko Sariola is an assistant professor working on bioinspired robots. In 2012, he obtained his Dr. Tech. degree in Electrical Engineering from Aalto University, Finland. From 2013 to 2015, he was a post-doctoral researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, and in 2016, he was appointed as a Research Fellow of the Academy of Finland. He teaches electronics to primary school children as part of the Avoin Tiedeteatteri (Open Science Theater) project.

Robot Loves: a little bit closer is supported by AVEK Audiovisuaalisen kulttuurin edistämiskeskus and Arts Promotion Centre Finland.