A-L-I-V-E
Cellular Robotics & Photography, Paper
From the Artist:“This poster captures a fictitious-yet-theoretical moment of microscopic Intelligent Self-Assembling Robotic Cells fighting against the Cancer Cell. Accumulative robotic cells construct ambiguous letter forms A, L, I, V, E around the spiked cell to articulate its extreme sense of organicism. With this technology in good hands of revolutionary thinkers like Holly, this visionary project will generate fruitful debate and advancement in humanity. To mimic the laboratory environment, I decided to use a scanner and tried to recreate a microscopic film still-image.”
—Sang Mung
The Science
Scientist Holly Erikson wanted to see if cells could work together like robots do in the manufacturing process. Holly created a system of design for this project comprised of five goals: power, mobility, software, communication, and attachment. The power system enables the cells to seek power when the battery becomes low and be rapidly and wirelessly re-charged. Mobility focuses on the efficient movement of the robotic cells. Communication involves methods for passing information between the cells. Attachment methods are necessary for the cells to stick together and create one, single purpose larger unit. Software algorithms were used to provide the intelligence behind the robotic system. Working together, cells can accomplish complex tasks and promise advancements of manufacturing processes.
The Artist
Sang Hyun Mun is a graphic designer based in Brooklyn, NY. Sang attended Rhode Island School of Design and has been practicing art for 7 years. Sang has recently been featured as one of PRINT magazine’s 2012 New Visual Artists.
Photo Credit: National Cancer Institute
