Dorkbot Vienna: nOtbOt – Walter Langelaar (NL) :: May 3, 2009; 7:00 – 10:00 pm :: Metalab Vienna, Rathausstraße 6, 1010 Wien, Vienna, Austria.

nOtbOt is an automated game-player which is controlled and deranged by reactions to it’s own virtual environment, caught in a vicious force-feedback loop… The installation consists of a hacked up human-computer interface in which the feedback system, originally intended to provide tangible interaction for a human player, is now used as input data to control a ‘first-person’ videogame. Human interaction with the game/controller becomes obsolete, resulting in a completely erratic form of [art]ificial intelligence. The observer of the installation, however, can literally try to ‘get a grip’ on taking control of the system…

Walter Langelaar’s nOtbOt is a self-playing videogame; to be specific, it is a mechanized Logitech “Wingman Force” joystick that has its robotic maneuvers projected in real-time in front of it. In certain ways, Langelaar’s installation recalls the similarly automated works of Paul Johnson, but where Johnson’s games are vacuum-sealed, seen but not touched, nOtbOt allows viewers to actually grab hold of the controller. In the process of trying to, as Langelaar cleverly puts it, “get a grip” on the device, players confront their own metaphoric role in a feedback loop that no longer requires them — where the real object of obsolescence is not the technology, but the players themselves. (Gameworld exhibition catalogue)

Walter Langelaar is a dutch artist currently based in Rotterdam. His work stems from charcoal drawing and multichannel slideshow geekery, to manifold video-editing techniques and crude 3D animations combined with oblivious hardware hacks. Currently working in the field of post-interactive sculpture, he deploys dedicated machines into a variety of gallery, festival and party circuits.

This event is part of CODED CULTURES – Exploring Creative Emergences :: Binational Festival / Austria – Japan :: May 27 – June 7, 2009 :: MuseumsQuartier Vienna.