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THE SCIENCE GALLERY in Dublin will open its doors to robot artists, eye-tracking software and other fascinating projects this summer.
The new exhibition SEEING: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? is all about challenging perceptions and looking at how machines and humans see things.
We headed down to Pearse Street to have a look at what’s on display there from today until 25 September.
3RNP or 3 Robots Named Paul is exactly like a life drawing class – except the artists are robots comprising of old school desks, web cams and robotic arms.
Visitors can sit down to be drawn by the robots and will be sent a digital version of their portraits.
The web cams look at their human subjects and then down at the page. The robot-arm sketches the pictures in an incredibly life-like way that’s also a bit eerie. The three robots draw at different speeds, from different angles and in slightly different styles.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie about why he created this piece, Patrick Tresset laughed and said he is a painter and was looking for something to replace him.
The London-based artist created the model in 2011 and has been working constantly to improve it since. His work has been exhibited all around the world, including in the Tate Modern in London, MMCA in Seoul and the Fondazione Prada in Milan.
Another exhibit that stood out was Mirror II – Distance, created by British artist David Cotterrell.
The exhibition consists of two white boxes, each with a small screen displaying a video of a security guard.
It’s based on the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The entrances are monitored by local Pakistani guards and David was intrigued by the situation when he visited.
He described the idea:
I wanted to show the risk of polarising communities. Distance reduces the chance for empathy
When you’re watching from a distance, you can’t tell if the stereotype you have assumed in your head is the right one and these guards won’t leave their post.
He said that Pakistan is full of challenges but problems of perception are common in every country.
It’s actually quite a welcoming country. Some parts are even as liberal as certain cities in Great Britain. There’s so many tribes and languages – as much diversity as countries closer to us.
This is the second of five mirror projects that challenge relationships. Cotterall has already done one with a doctor and patient. He is hoping to base the next three in Rwanda and Burundi, Derry and Palestine.
There are two floors of interactive projects, videos and information to experience at the exhibition.
Try out some eye-movement tracking software or see how distorted your face has to become before digital recognition software can’t pick it up.
There’s also optometry technology to check your retinas and an exhibit that explores the association of colours and music notes.
The SEEING: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? exhibition is open to the public today in the Science Gallery Dublin and will run until 25 September.
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Getting involved in the culture wars won’t help their prospects
These polls are getting easier. No.
@Madra: Have to agree.
Not good when the soundings out of the camp in recent days has switched to ‘we’re just happy to be here regardless of the result’.
@Madra:
There are no difficulty levels
“Eurovision” would be a great name for an EU optician company. Everyone makes a spectacle of themselves.
I absolutely and sincerely hope not.
An absolute embarrassment to the country.
@Jim Bob: Sounds okay to me. Anyone know why he’s wearing a hood like a disco ball?
After Dustin and Jedward, I’d say no one takes Ireland serious.
@Vincent Walsh: Jedward finished 6th in final! Our best result for a long time.
not a hope in hell, poor song
Where is the ‘don’t care’ option.
@RJ: It’s going to be back for tomorrow’s poll. Two options as answers. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IGNORANCE AND APATHY? A) I DON’T KNOW B) I DON’T CARE
@RJ: you cared enough to comment.
@Terry Fagan: For a comment like that: Null Point
Bring on Dustin.
Where is the “I couldnt give a fiddlers” option on the poll?
They wouldnt win their way out of a paper bag
No .Poor Lyrics also Title is childish.
,,,,they’ll generally have decided on a winner before voting even begins. Now where does Ireland stand?
Doesn’t matter Ukraine will be picked to win again
Had a chance until Dustin was mentioned. What a waste if Rte were the people who decided he should be on stage
Plenty of readers that don’t care., cared enough to read the article and vote!!!
Maybe but they definitely won’t win. For once I’m not rooting for us.
Irelande non points
That gold yoke he’s wearing is horrible. Harry styles wannabe. Not very wild.
Not a chance. They are muck.
I couldn’t vote as there wasn’t an option for “couldn’t care less”.
As long as RTE are running the competition in Ireland we will never win. They consistently send turkeys (Sorry Dustin!) to make sure Ireland won’t win. If we did RTE would have to host the competition the following year! It would near bankrupt the station, who would have to go to the Government for a bailout. Answer is privatise the station!
An opportunity to show Putin “We Are One”
I don’t know. And that isn’t an option!
It’s not the worst song we’ve had in the last 10 years but it’s not far off it. I’d be very surprised if we get through. Sweden will win on Saturday night. But I like the Danish song.
What is with the silver masks, what are they hiding come on!
Is there an option that we dont care????
Vote here you don’t care
Why don’t they send U2
OMG, the Irish fella is packing some serious camel toe!!!
aww Jesus stop entering this
Guys, I hope U2 got some credit on that song.. Where the streets have no name sounds awwwwful familiar. Don’t believe it? Go listen…
Cliche-ridden pap produced by ChatGPT.
What is Eurovizmuz? I could ask essential questions like, What is existentialism…What is the meaning of Meaning…Where is it all at? etc. etc.
have your say