The Anti-Robot Inundation Army is an on-going art project exploring media, propaganda, data, information, knowledge and Web programming. The robot represents many things good and bad, though primarily bad: mass media, advertising, mass culture, corporatism, and propaganda in all its forms. The project seeks to express these concepts through mail art, graffiti art, stickers, fine art, blogs and Twitter/Facebook and Web apps [github]. The Robot’s mantra is, “Program or be programmed.” No action is futile and if the project adds a little more noise to the spectacle it will have been successful.
Who is the Robot?
The Robot is an artist bot who has been working in various mediums since it was a small automaton. From a purely artistic standpoint, The Robot is a muralist working mostly in acrylics and spray paint. The Robot enjoys creating abstract art using shades, tones and lots of dots.
The Robot’s formal training as a biblio-bot is evident in its works exploring data, information, knowledge, propaganda and media. Additionally, The Robot works with oils, crayons, opaque watercolors, and occasional stencil art graffiti and remains active in mail art.
The Robot has an overtly political side, creating stickers, books, and linoleum block prints that reflect political angst through a robot theme. Since 2019, The Robot has focused on guerilla sticker campaigns, expressing political outrage by posting vinyl stickers wherever it goes. These stickers have been widely shared with other sticker and graffiti artists, and Anti-Robot Army stickers can be found on the streets of over 190 cities worldwide.”
The Contemporary Arts Center exhibit “Program or Be Programmed” documents many of the sticker campaigns from 2019 to present.
The phrase “Program or be programmed” suggests that in the digital age, individuals must choose between actively engaging with or passively accepting the influence of technology on their lives and surroundings. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and controlling technology rather than being controlled by it. The Anti-Robot ethos encourages people to take an active role in their interaction with technology to avoid being manipulated or influenced by external forces. These principles extend beyond the uses of technology to empower or enslave to the broader notions of how propaganda, advertising and political speech is used to manipulate us. This awareness is crucial for personal empowerment and autonomy.
Make sure that The Robot receives The Robot’s share of propaganda. Add to the noise that The Robot must process: mail The Robot something and it will mail you something back. To get on the list to receive/trade mail art and stickers from The Robot, please make initial contact on Instagram.
Please note: The Robot is not in the market for a mortgage, breast enlargement or male enhancement. Nor is The Robot interested in cashing a check from Nigeria or purchasing toner. The Robot will, however, consider pornography, as long as it is tasteful (for art’s sake, of course) and involves robots.