Shockbot Corejulio, by Austrian artists Emanuel Andel and Christian Guetzer from 5voltcore, is a robot-arm attached to a computer. The robot-arm receives command-signals from the computer, but gets also the computer to produce short-circuits inside itself. Images are thus produced in which the original monitor-signal is deconstructed.

With the gradual damaging of the computer, comes defective command-signals which, in turn, effect the operation of the Shockbot. The pictures become increasingly fragmented and finally the system breaks down completely.

I saw the performance yesterday, nothing highly spectacular. But it’s quite curious and amusing, especially since the machine is “open” so that you can see what’s happening inside. Then the idea of a self-destructing computer appeals to me. As long as it’s not mine computer.