Old Mechanical is a home built drawing machine that transforms the digital vector data of Control 1.2 into a tangible, striking piece of art.
Using a bespoke, floor-laid DIY plotter, I added to the piece with paint and pens whilst the drawing machine slowly printed the digital output. This work marries the precision of modern technology with the charm of mechanical craftsmanship.
As the plotter slowly adds lines onto the paper, the artist moves in tandem alongside it, infusing each mechanical stroke with a personal touch. This interplay between automated accuracy and human intuition creates a layered artwork, rich in texture and depth.
A collaboration between human and machine, Old Mechanical reverses the roles, pushing the digital content back into the real world where it can be tampered with, allowing the human to recontextualise the disruption created by the machine in Control 1.2.
The artwork's surface, adorned with calibration marks and test runs, narrates the tale of its own creation. These intentional imperfections reveal the process behind the piece, inviting viewers to witness the transformation from digital blueprint to physical art. Once escaped from the screen, the A1 printouts provide a relatable humanness, fighting the static nature of the computer and blending it with the texture of the real.
"Old Mechanical" stands as a testament to the beauty found in the process of creation. It is a celebration of the imperfect, where the mechanical process becomes an integral part of the artistic expression.
