Artist Chico MacMurtrie, U-M students to test 40-foot robot created to cross U.S.-Mexico border

[Judi Lynn]

Feb 14, 2018 Contact Sydney Hawkins

ANN ARBOR—Ten years ago, Chico MacMurtrie came up with the idea to create a large-scale robotic artwork that would invite people to rethink the notion of borders in a globalized world.

His artistic vision is being realized at the University of Michigan this semester, where he is working with a team of 16 students to plan, build and launch a 40-foot robotic sculpture that "poetically explores the notion of borders and boundary conditions."

The robot, which is a lightweight, inflatable, robotic-looking arm, is made to reach up several stories high, arc over a barrier, and bend down to touch on the other side.

. . .

"So much has changed in my lifetime—I remember people coming and going across the border through a hole in a fence," said MacMurtrie. "The border is now fortified, which is kind of senseless and counter-humane in my opinion."

More:
http://ns.umich.edu/new/multimedia/videos/25421-artist-chico-macmurtrie-u-m-students-to-test-40-foot-robot-created-to-cross-us-mexico-border

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