ROBOTS IN CAPTIVITY

DECEMBER 16th 2022 - FEBRUARY 18th 2023
BRAM ELLENS

ROBOTS IN CAPTIVITY
What does it mean to be human? This has been a theme for artists and thinkers for centuries. Nowadays, 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 does the machine still serve the human?
Machines are getting smarter thanks to artificial intelligence and computer technology; they can predict and even influence human behavior. Who is really in control?
We have an innate tendency to humanize machines - to read human characteristics into programmed behavior. Siri speaks to us with a warm human voice, care robots have a friendly appearance; but human characteristics are also easily projected onto less obvious machines such as toy cars and robotic lawnmowers by programming specific behaviors.
The complexity of the relationship between people and technology is explored and uncovered through the exhibition "Robots in Captivity", which can be experienced at Kunsthal NORD until February 18th.

About the artist

Bram Ellens was born in 1978. After a turbulent international career as an internet entrepreneur for 10 years, he decided in 2015 to take a career change and started working as an artist. He is known as an entrepreneurial artist and creates mainly theatrical sculptures and installations. Bram likes the grand gesture, but tries to evoke a silence and contemplation amidst the noise. His works are inclusive but not superficial. Curiosity is a common thread in all his work, it invites contact. Bram was in the spotlight for the first time in 2016 with his 'Apping glow in the dark gnome installations'. He likes to exhibit outside the usual art institutions, with his latest solo exhibition 'Orphans' in the World Trade Center in Amsterdam as an example. Bram works with his operational team at his studio in Almere, the Netherlands.
https://www.bramellens.com

OPENING will take place on Friday December 16th at 4-6 pm. There will be a introduction to the art gallery's new residents by Bram Ellens. Entrance via the fire escape, Teglgaards Plads.

Tuesday December 13th at 6 pm there will be a preview of robot artistry through the dance performance Carnival of the Animals, where the Aalborg School of Ballet together with musical talents from Aalborg Cultural School and robot researchers from Aalborg University will present a dance performance in Kedelhallen.

OPENING HOURS:

TUE-FRI: 12-17
SAT: 11-15