[ISEA2013] Artist Statement: Kirsty Boyle – Ningyo

Artist Statement

“As one of the three ISEA2013 exhibitions closes this week, I found myself reflecting on the artworks and wondering at the possible connections to our collection. One of the most unusual works to experience in Synapse | a selection was Kirsty Boyle’s video Ningyo. In a grainy video shot to convey memory or recollection, the artist and the mechanism of a ningyo (translated as puppet, person or effigy from Japanese) are depicted in close association with each other. Over 8 minutes, Boyle coddles, plays with and eventually demonstrates how the mechanisms of the ningyo work”_Deborah Turnbull, assistant curator Powerhouse Museum

Source: powerhousemuseum.com/insidethecollection/2013/07/the-automaton-early-robot-or-uber-puppet (21.06.2015)

  • Kirsty Boyle is an Australian artist whose passion for robots has driven her to travel the world in order to work with other like-minded artists, puppeteers, animators and scientists. During 2002, Kirsty began study under Mr Shobei Tamaya, a ninth generation Karakuri Ningyo craftsman and last remaining mechanical doll master in Japan. She is currently his only student, and is now considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Karakuri tradition. Source: lovetherobots.com/love-the-artists/kirsty-boyle (21.06.2015)