Strong Representation Of Robotics Art In The Heart Of Europe
One of the finest examples on robotics art from the Middle Ages and one of the most popular sights for tourists in Prague is The Astronomical Clock from 1410.
It is the third-oldest Astronomical Clock in the World and it is the oldest one which is still working.
It was made by clockmaker Mikulás of Kadan and Jan Sindel, the latter a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University in Prague.
Automatons
In the 17th century moving statues were added, and figures of the
Apostles were added after major repair in 1865-1866.
The four figures flanking the Clock are set in motion at the hour, these represent four things that were despised at the time of the Clock's making. The first is Vanity, represented by a figure admiring himself in a mirror. Next, the miser holding a bag of gold represents greed or usury. Across the Clock stands Death, a skeleton that strikes the time upon the hour. Finally, the Turk tells pleasure and entertainment.
At the doorways above the Clock, a presentation of statues of the Apostles are presented every hour in the day times.
The "Piss" sculpture by Czech artist David Cerny is a very popular interactive kinetic sculpture at the courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum in Prague. Earlier you could activate the two peeing men by sending a SMS, and then they wrote your message.
Kinetic sculptures
The Metronome is a giant, functional metronome located overlooking
the Vltava River and the city center of Prague. It was erected in
1991. The 23 meter tall Metronome was designed by international
artist Vratislav Novak.
"Piss" is a robotics art sculpture made by Czech Artist David Cerný. It shows two mechanical men writting "poems" in the water basin that is shaped like the Czech Republic. It is placed in the courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum, and earlier you could activate the sculpture by sending a SMS to a number, and then the two men soon after started to write your message.
Next to the Narodni Trida street and metro station you can discover another huge robotic sculpture of David Cerný, which is a rotating metalic bust of Franz Kafka. And other places in the suburbs of Prague you can find other of his kinetic/robotic art pieces.
Paintings
At the Czech Museum of Cubism and at the
National Gallery (department Veletrzní palác) you can
discover some cubist paintings of Josef Capek, which is the man who
is credited by his brother, the Author Karel Capek, to have
invented the word robot.
[image source: Vive Les Robots!]
[source: Vive Les Robots!]
The Danish "robot" marketing and event firm
Vive Les Robots! was the main organizer of Cafe Neu Romance.
The Gallery of the National Technical Library in Prague, Galerie NTK, was the co-organizer of Cafe Neu Romance.
The Institute of Intermedia (IIM) at the Czech Technical University, was a special partner of Cafe Neu Romance.