Section One
Unstrained with Inifite possibilities
——more than machines
"A tool is but the extension of a man's hand, and a machine is but a complex tool. And he that invents a machine augments the power of a man and the well-being of mandkind."——Henry Ward Beecher（1813-1887）
The emergence of a new source of power during the first Industrial Revolution that started in the UK in the 18th century drove the rapid development and wide application of machines. In the late 19th century, the entrance of technologies into workplaces and households promoted further epochal transitions. When large machines such as steam locomotives and looming machines turned the wheel of time forward, small machines such as typewriters, sewing machines, and lathes, also had their places in society and brought significant changes to people. Are you familiar with these machines?
- 1-1｜More than Machines
- 1-2｜Wen-Long Shi, CHIMEI Founder with Infinite Possibilities
Section Two
machine unraveled
After the 19th century, most people believe that machines can solve all the problems and achieve what has been unachievable before. For example, typewriters can replace handwriting with a kind of mechanical movement; sewing machines can increase the efficiency of clothing sewing by more than tenfold; and lathes can process mechanic parts with more precision than hand polishing.
With the emergence of newer and faster machines, how can we find new imagination from old machines?
- 2-1 ｜“Typewriters Unraveled”: James Cook (UK)
- 2-2 ｜“Sewing Machines Unraveled”: Chi-Shuan Ying (Taiwan)
- 2-3 ｜“Lathes Unraveled”: Sebastian Brajkovic (Netherlands)
section three
materials unraveled
The advancements of machinery have given rise to new industries, materials, and energy sources. Examples are the transparent and light-weighted acrylic, glossy metal wires, and gas tanks that help to deliver the fuels produced by the petrochemical industry to each household.
How do the pragmatic materials for public utilities and industries transform into new books, like something as clear as water, as supple as a ribbon, and even as light as air?
- 3-1 ｜“Metals Unraveled”:Seungmo Park (Korea)
- 3-2 ｜“Acrylic Unraveled”: Minako Ishikawa (Japan), Riusuke Fukahori (Japan)
- 3-3 ｜“Mixed Media Unraveled”: Chien-Chung Liao (Taiwan)
section four
infinity workshop
Even though we may not know about how machines work or how materials are used, we can still jump outside the box with the help of art and imagination. Let’s practice thinking outside the box together with the artist and explore infinite possibilities!
- 4-1 ｜Christoph Niemann (Germany)