Robots in captivity
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Robots in captivity: the exhibition

What does it mean to be human? This has been a theme for artists and thinkers for centuries. In the present time, another layer has been added: What does it mean to be human in an age of technology?
Machines are made by humans to make our lives easier, but are machines still serving humans? 
Machines are getting smarter because of A.I. and data science, they can predict and even influence human behavior. Who is actually in control? 
We tend to humanize machines, Siri talks to us in a warm human voice, care robots have a friendly appearance, yet human characteristics are also easily projected on less obvious machines such as toy cars and robotic lawn mowers by programming specific behaviour.
The complexity of the relationship between humans and technology was explored and exposed during the residence and exhibition "Robots in Captivity at Buitenplaats Doornburgh" that took place in the second half of 2021. 

The installations from this series have been spread over various locations; four works got acquired by the science museum Nemo, Sloth formerly know as the Queen Mother has been touring various musea and festivals. Early 2023 the whole band is back together to make their first international appearance in Kunsthal Nord in Aalborg (Denmark). Will keep you posted.  

The press about the exhibition Robots in captivity: 

'The best exhibition since ages. Hyper and touched at the same time.'
'Spectacular collection of robots makes us wonder'  
'Touching and terrifying'
'Free the robot!'

Tour schedule robots in captivity

Mad King in chains - Museum HEM Zaanstad - August 2020
Queen mother - Tiergarten Alkmaar sculpture festival - June 2021
Full kennel robots in captivity on display - Museum Buitenplaats Doornburgh - July 2021
Four works got acquired for permanent display - Science museum Nemo - January 2022
Sloth on weekend outing - Museum NXT - February 2022
Sloth in a group exhibition - Paleis Soestdijk - May 2022
Sloth in Party mode - Music festival Lowlands - August 2022
Sloth met een zachte g - Night of the arts Nijmegen - September 2022
Tellots - Artii and amici Amsterdam - November 2022
Full kennel robots in captivity on display - Kunsthal Nord Aalborg Denmark - January 2023