workwelt logistics (2022)
robotics, single channel video, steel, concrete, laser etched acrylic, 16GB USBs, vinyl diagram, cabling, contact microphones, brochure, generative sound, field recordings.
workwelt logistics explores the volatile relationship between neoliberalism, automation technologies and the natural labour systems that they appropriate. the project seeks to amplify the fundamental qualities of swarming (biological and machinic) and showcase how it manifests through material voicings, mechanical agency, and historical legacies within the contemporary e-commerce fulfilment centre workplace. through using the motif of the industrious ant swarm, robotics, insect field recordings, various AV components, construction materials and media-archaeological aesthetics this site magnifies an archaic labour spectacle that has been revived through artificial and machinic form to extract and embellish its presence and worldliness.
workwelt logistics is a body of work comprising of custom built and programmed robotic arms, video, sculpture, laser etched acrylic, diagrams, insect field recordings, live generative audio components, and a brochure. it was produced over approximately 3 years in partial fulfilment with a Master of Fine Arts (Research) thesis entitled “Swarmic Trajectories: Mapping the Symbiosis of Social Insects and Biomimetic Automation at Fulfilment Centre Worksites”.
exhibition history:
2023: International Symposium of Electronic Arts (ISEA2023) digital art exhibition (conference presentation in Paris, France and online exhibition).
2022: Workwelt Logistics – solo exhibition at UWA Cullity Gallery (Boorloo/Perth WA)
workwelt logistics (2022), exhibition documentation video. Video by Valentina Sartori and Harley Barneby.
Install shot of workwelt logistics (2022), 8x 6-degree-of-freedom robot, 8x 5V 40A isolated power supplies, 8x machine vision cameras, 8x servo motor drivers, 8x custom designed PCBs (printed circuit boards designed by Mohamed Gaber), 8x contact microphones, 8x custom built mild steel octagonal robot rigs, 8x laser cut acrylic robot platforms, 1x custom built power supply rack suspended by steel wire, 2x QSC K10.2 speakers, 2x Yamaha MG06X mixers, 160GB iPod Classic with looped audio, 112m of 13AWG red and electrical wire, 112m of 17AWG red and black electrical wire, 9:26 minute video with audio projected on a 420x210cm silk screen, various microcontroller jumper wires, acrylic cable covers various dimensions. Image by samuel beilby.
Install shot of workwelt logistics (2022). Image by samuel beilby.
workwelt logistics (2022), 9:26 minute video with audio projected on a 420x210cm silk screen (still).
Install shot of workwelt logistics (2022). Image by samuel beilby.
Install shot of workwelt logistics (2022). Image by samuel beilby.
Install shot of workwelt logistics (2022). Image by samuel beilby.
Install shot of workwelt logistics (2022). Image by samuel beilby.
a source (2022), laser etched acrylic, aluminium photographic prints, mild steel, fixings, 80x5x50cm. image by samuel beilby.
a labour (2022), laser etched acrylic, aluminium photographic prints, mild steel, fixings, 80x5x50cm. (bad) image by samuel beilby.
a signal (2022), laser etched acrylic, aluminium photographic prints, mild steel, fixings, 80x5x50cm. (bad) image by samuel beilby.
host (2022), polystyrene-cast concrete, 16GB USB containing ecitoninae army ant pseudo-code file, custom built mild steel stand, 30x30x155cm. image by samuel beilby.
parasite (2022), polystyrene-cast concrete, 16GB USB containing fulfilment centre operations pseudo-code file, orange tape, bubble-wrap, various e-commerce packaging materials, mild steel off-cuts, custom built mild steel stand, 30x30x155cm. image by samuel beilby.
hybrid (2022), polystyrene-cast concrete, 16GB USB containing C++ code file used for the Workwelt Logistics robots that was written with the help of Mohamed Gaber, machine vision camera, various microcontroller jumper wires, 2x servo motors, custom built mild steel stand, 30x30x155cm. image by samuel beilby.
(left to right), host, hybrid, parasite (2022), polystyrene-cast concrete, 16GB USB containing various code files, machine vision camera, various microcontroller jumper wires, servo motors, custom built mild steel stands, 30x30x155cm each. image by samuel beilby.
(left to right) workwelt logistics (brochure) (2022), c-fold corporate brochure design with acrylic box, various dimensions.
workwelt logistics systems diagram (2022), vinyl decal on concrete wall, 128x105cm. image by samuel beilby.
workwelt logistics systems diagram (2022), vinyl decal on concrete wall, 128x105cm. image by samuel beilby.
workwelt logistics systems diagram (2022), vinyl decal on concrete wall, 128x105cm. image by samuel beilby.