FRAGMENT - Kirsty Boyle

Kirsty Boyle’s work examines robots as subjects of culture with particular emphasis on how we experience and personalise our interactions with them. Her practice is truly interdisciplinary, encompassing skills in sculpture, theatrical performance, film and animation, digital arts and design, mechanical and electrical engineering and artificial intelligence.

Her passion for robots has driven her to travel the world in order to work with other like-minded artists, puppeteers, animators and scientists. In 2002, she began studying under Mr Tamaya Shobei, a ninth generation Karakuri Ningyo craftsman and the last remaining mechanical doll Master in Japan. Kirsty is currently his only student, and the only woman to have ever been trained in the tradition. Kirsty has been based in Zurich for the past three years, completing an artist residency at the University of Zurich and participating in major international exhibitions.

FRAGMENT is an ongoing series of interactive modular robots, handcrafted in a range of different materials. Kirsty is interested in the idea of ‘crafting’ and deliberately contrasts high-tech robotics with low-tech or natural materials such as the cardboard and Linden wood used in the construction of these pieces. The inflatable works continue this theme by encasing moss and bamboo fibre in the plastic.

FRAGMENT is an exhibition in progress. Kirsty will be working in this space creating more robots on the following days:

                                              Friday 27 May 10:30am – 2pm

                                              Saturday 11 June 10:30am – 4pm

                                              Saturday 18 June 10:30am – 4pm
 
                                              Saturday 25 June 10:30am – 4pm

The exhibition will evolve organically, with the outcomes revealed Saturday 2 July 10:30am – 4pm.