ArtistsInLab: Kirsty Boyle. Karakuri

karakuri. documentary

Synopsis:
Modern robot figures in present day Japan continue to fascinate and excite the world’s imagination. This documentary explores this vision to show its many dimensions and its origins.

For the Japanese people the phrase ” co-existence with robots ” is almost natural, but what most are not aware of is that Japan’s ease with robots has existed for hundreds of years. ‘Karakuri’ = a mechanical device to tease, trick, or take a person by surprise. Central to the Karakuri philosophy is concealment of technology, to evoke feelings and emotions and a sense of hidden inner magic. Karakuri is the starting point from which Japan’s love of robots and technology has developed.

This is a contemporary look at an ancient craft seen through a modern day cultural phenomenon. The story exposes mysterious and unanswered questions about the origins of the Karakuri craft: how did it originate and where exactly did it come from? What is the historical, cultural and contemporary value of the practice? How will this ancient tradition continue in the future?

The film narrates several personal journeys which seek to answer these questions. A journey of an arts tradition which has traveled through time from ancient history to the present day. Through mutual respect and admiration the contrasting old/new, east/west metaphors are contextualised and provide a common bond between the characters. This relationship forms an important theme and sets an intimate and personal tone to the film.

It is through these key characters involved in the tradition today that the craft continues to survive.

Producer: Kirsty Boyle
Director: Eddie Martin 

Produced with the support of The Japan Foundation.

“The historical and cultural aspects of robots in society continues to be a major theme that informs my artistic practice. I am fascinated with the symbiotic relationship between traditional philosophies and modern technology, and how popular culture and creative arts/crafts inspire and directly contribute to contemporary scientific innovations.

Since 2002 I have been studying Karakuri. ‘Karakuri’ = a mechanical device to tease, trick, or take a person by surprise. Central to the Karakuri philosophy is concealment of technology, to evoke feelings and emotions and a sense of hidden inner magic. Karakuri is the starting point from which Japan’s love of robots and technology has developed. My focus is on gaining the technical skills and expertise to produce my own Karakuri, researching the theoretical and philosophical aspects of the tradition, and applying this knowledge to contemporary robotics technology.” (Kirsty Boyle)

Kirsty Boyle is an Australian artist whose passion for robots has driven her to travel the world in order to work with other like-minded puppeteers, animators and roboticists. During 2002, Kirsty began study under Mr Shobei Tamaya, a ninth generation Karakuri Ningyo craftsman and last remaining mechanical doll master in Japan. She is currently his only student.

Her practice is truly interdisciplinary, encompassing skills in sculpture, theatrical performance, film and animation, digital arts and design, mechanical and electrical engineering and computer science. She has presented her work via various mediums, primarily via exhibition, but also television, radio and magazine interviews, to delivering lectures and hosting forums and workshops at educational institutions and festivals internationally.

She is currently an Artist in Residence/Guest Researcher at the MedienKunstLabor producing girltron 3.0, supported by The Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) and the AI Lab, University of Zurich in association with the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

In MedienKunstLabor: 04. July - 14. July 2009