spirograph

Symmetry through rhythmic movement
2001

Two industrial robots produce pictures in cooperation. One robot has the role of a dynamic easel and rotates a paper in space while another robot sprays symmetrical paths with different colors.

The results are spirographs — regular patterns made up of the mathematical infinity symbol (∞), which is sprayed several times on a sheet in such a way that the centers lie on a circle. The color is changed in between. By varying the circumference of the circle and the size of the symbol, the vibrating, three-dimensional patterns are created. The infinity symbol stands for the endlessly identical movements that industrial robots normally perform continuously during their work.

The robots work together skillfully to create the images. The spraying robot monotonously executes the movement on the path of the infinity mark, while the easel robot constantly repositions the sheet with small rotary movements so that the spirographs finally emerge.

“spirograph” was developed as a commission and presented from April 23-28, 2001 at the Hanover Fair, the world's largest industrial trade fair, on the 500 square meter stand of robot manufacturer KUKA. The installation consisted of five different types of robots. The paper was handed to the two image-creating robots by a palletizer and a heavy-duty robot. After the spraying process, the sheet was signed by a small robot.