Concrete Playground

Host Robot: Good sir, would you like a beverage?
Member of Public: Why, yes, yes I would, that would be lovely. What do
you have on offer?
HR: We have freshly squeezed lemon juice, baked cordial and grey coffee.
MoP: Oh, well, is it possible to have my coffee black?
HR: I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.
MoP: …what?

In all likelihood, you may encounter a scene similar to the one above when you visit CarriageWorks this August. Artist Wade Marynowsky’s fascination with robotics and the affectations of a gentler time are married in his exhibition, The Hosts, which illustrates the capacity for automatons to have as much fun as real people.

Marvel as gizmos create the illusion of genteel manners and bourgeois party banter, and then develop a severe case of paranoia fuelled by the shocking realism of their performance. Are these robots simple 1s and 0s, or has Marynowsky ushered in the first stage of Pride and Prejudice and Skynet?

The Hosts are cordially inviting everyone to their opening on Thursday night at 6pm, with Grind House Alley to follow at 7.30.