Motorised Slip considers artificial/natural binaries through magic, the machine and baroque aesthetics. In Italy during 1550 to 1750, the concept of the monster evolved from sacred connotations (angels and demons) to their own technologies (mechanical interventions). This fear was initiated through inanimate objects becoming animated and seemingly moving off their own accord. According to Aristotle, life was deemed at the time to only exist within a body that was self-organising and ‘natural’. It was through the invention of automata in 1500’s that categories of ‘natural’ and ‘artificial’ magic became difficult to distinguish, it poked fun at these definitions.

 

I explore these thoughts through this sculptural slip mixing machine. Motion comes from the finned rod rotating into the tray of slip, an extension of the clay body, while the clay demonstrates motion from its slowly deforming and drying  structure due to moisture, light and air.