Thinking Machines

BACKGROUND ‘Thinking Machines’ builds upon research into corporeal movement and cognition through engagement with participatory sculptural objects. The work considers the concept of day-dreaming as described in cognitive psychology and applied to the arts by Dance philosopher Maxine Sheets-Johnstone and anthropologist Tim Ingold. The work also extends the research into soft sculpture and participation as explored by Ernesto Neto’s biomorphic forms such as ‘Humanoid Families’ (2001). The work uses the concept of the readymade as proposed by Duchamp in the early 20th century to create hybrid objects which relate to and extend the work of Jeppe Hein’s works ‘Modified Social Benches’ (2016) and responds to ideas in David Burn’s book ‘Bicycle diaries’ (2010) of ideation and cycling. The work also considers the research into embodied cognition, enactivism and art as explored by philosopher Alva Noe in ‘Action in Perception’ (2004). CONTRIBUTION This work consists of 2 modified beanbags with pedals attached so that the audience can lie back on the beanbag and pedal. It brings together 2 seemingly antithetical objects – the beanbag, traditionally identified with relaxing, and the bicycle associated with physical activity. The work creates an active and social encounter in which gallery visitors can explore the potential for embodied cognition through physical interactions with art objects. It critiques and contributes to the field of participatory art practice SIGNIFICANCE “Thinking Machine’ was included as part of the exhibition ‘Let’s Play – The art of our time’ at Bunjil Place Gallery, City of Casey Cultural Centre by curator Rodney James. The work is included in the exhibition catalogue ‘Let’s Play – The art of our time’ 2017 (ISBN 978-0-9579886-3-7) on page 35. Other artists included Brook Andrew, Polly Borland, Emily Floyd, Shaun Gladwell, Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, Troy Innocent, Jeff Koons, Jan Nelson, Patricia Piccinini, Nick Selenitsch and Tim Silver.