AEDM Day 5: YES!bots

By: Eris Weaver | Date: November 5, 2015 | Categories: Art, Play, and Creativity
AEDM2015_5

Yes!bots in progress. Dominos, Sharpie oil paint pens, polyurethane.

 

Awhile back, my pal Gina turned me on to the work of Portland, Oregon artist Gary Hirsch, the creator of JoyBots – “A tiny (and sometimes giant) robot army programmed to bring you joy.” Hirsch’s bots are tiny talismans painted on the back of dominos. They can be left in random places for people to find, or given to people in need. He focuses on JoyBots and BraveBots (for children undergoing medical procedures).

As a teacher of creativity and improvisation, I decided to make YES!bots – the key rule in improvisation is to say “YES, and…” to whatever is presented to you. Participants in my workshops may feel inhibited, afraid of looking silly…so a YES!bot is a silly little reminder to say “YES!” and go for it!

I  spent all day yesterday and half of today in the hospital with a family member having surgery. It was soothing and calming to sit down for a bit this evening, zone out, and doodle Bots.