HUMANS AND MACHINES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE NEW HEIGHTS
Maedcore
Eduardo Fuentevilla, Founder. Engineers who bring impossible artistic visions to life using robotics, AI, and technology as medium.
The moment Geoffrey Hinton quit Google to warn the world of AI's dangers, the art world was watching too. But while some saw threat, Eduardo Fuentevilla and Maedcore saw a different path: not a replacement of human creativity, but its amplification. His company, founded in 2020, is built on a single idea: artists have visions that exceed their technical ability to realise them, and engineers can close that gap. Robotics. Artificial intelligence. Virtual reality. Interactive screens. These are not the future of art, in Maedcore's view. They are the present, and they are medium.
From Nuclear to Art
Fuentevilla spent six years living and working in the UK and Sweden, where he acquired extensive knowledge in technology applied to large-scale industries: nuclear, automotive, aerospace. He worked with cutting-edge technologies at the frontier of what was possible. And then he saw something else was necessary. The art world, he recognised, was standing at the threshold of a new era, and needed engineers who could understand both the technical and the creative.
He began engaging with artists possessing innovative ideas and worked to bring their visions to life. This ultimately led to the creation of Maedcore: a team of mechanical, aeronautical, and robotics engineers whose transition to the art world was, as he acknowledges, a challenging endeavour. And yet they remain committed to adapting to the creative vision of artists, finding ways to bring ideas that exist in imagination into the world.
Our goal is to support artists in using technology to enhance and elevate their creativity, and to provide a platform for new and innovative forms of expression.Eduardo Fuentevilla
In Conversation
Eduardo Fuentevilla × Antakly Projects
Tell us about the Maedcore technology developed for artists.
The technology developed by Maedcore serves as a support system for artists by enabling them to transform their creative concepts into tangible art forms. The artistic community often possesses unique ideas and forms of expression that may not align with their technical expertise, which is where our team of engineers comes in. By leveraging innovative technologies, we collaborate with artists to bring their creative visions to life. This partnership enables them to expand beyond traditional artistic mediums and explore new possibilities for their art. With a plethora of materials and technologies available, integrating them into artwork can elevate artists to the next level, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the art world. Our goal is to contribute to the evolution of the art world towards a more technologically advanced future, one where artists can leverage new mediums to create novel forms of expression.
What are some of the collaborations you have worked on and with which artists?
We are collaborating with artists such as Mario Klingemann, Emma Fernández and Filip Custic. Utilizing artificial intelligence, virtual reality, holographic displays, and screens, we have the ability to generate one-of-a-kind artistic creations that defy conventional methods and stimulate the imaginations of viewers. Innovative technology allows us to push the boundaries of what was previously considered unattainable in the realm of art.
What are some of the goals for the technology and the innovative approach moving forward?
The goals for Maedcore's technology and innovative approach moving forward are to facilitate the evolution of art through the integration of all available new technology, including artificial intelligence and robotics. AI has the potential to revolutionise the art world by enabling new forms of interactive and responsive artwork. With the application of AI, art can take on a life of its own and evolve in unimaginable ways, opening up new possibilities for artists to create immersive and engaging works of art that push the boundaries of what is possible. Additionally, robotics can offer a new way to create and interact with art, allowing artists to create dynamic, interactive installations and sculptures that can move and react to the environment and the audience. The ultimate goal is to push the boundaries of what is possible in the art world, by integrating technology and innovation to create new forms of art that have never been seen before.
How do you collaborate with artists, in terms of creative process?
Some artists come to us with a clear idea of what they want in terms of appearance and functionality. They share their ideas with us and we work together to shape and design them, providing different alternatives to incorporate technology and bring their vision to life. Once we have finalised the design according to the artist's view, we procure the necessary components, assemble and manufacture the piece of art with utmost care and attention to detail. There are other artists that may not have a clear idea of what they want, they just seek to incorporate technology into their work as a means to break free from monotony and captivate the world with novel and innovative creations. In this case we meet with them to understand their artistic style and creative direction. We suggest innovative solutions and techniques that can enhance their work and push the boundaries of what is possible. Together, we refine the concept until it meets the artist's vision and we proceed to bring it to life.
What is one of the most interesting responses you have heard in regards to your technologies?
One of the most intriguing responses we have heard was from an individual who initially expressed fear and concern about the integration of robotics and artificial intelligence into the art world. They worried that it might lead to the replacement of human artists or the loss of human creativity and expression. However, after learning more about our approach and the potential benefits, their perspective began to shift. They realised that these technologies can actually enhance and amplify human creativity, rather than replace it. By leveraging the power of robotics and AI, artists can push the boundaries of what is possible, explore new forms of expression, and create truly immersive and interactive experiences for audiences.
How do you see the art world evolving?
As technology continues to evolve at an ever-increasing pace, we can expect to see the art world follow suit. We believe that the art world will become increasingly intertwined with technology, as artists begin to incorporate new and innovative techniques into their work. We see a future where art and technology merge seamlessly, resulting in new and exciting forms of creative expression. Those who do not embrace technology in their artistic endeavours risk being left behind in this rapidly changing landscape. Furthermore, the integration of technology into the art world has the potential to make art more accessible and interactive for a wider audience. We envision a future where viewers can engage with art in new and meaningful ways, through virtual reality experiences or interactive installations, for example.
These technologies can actually enhance and amplify human creativity, rather than replace it.Eduardo Fuentevilla
About Antakly Projects
Antakly Projects has been in conversation with artists and creatives from around the world since 2003.
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