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MACHINERY
kinetic sculpture/robotics/machines/
Kantor's first machines were fictional automats populating the
pseudo-technosphere of Neoist manifestos. Such robotic cyber-devices as
"The Neoist Earthquake Slot-Machine"(1980) and "The Neoist Brain War Shock
Machine" (1980) were integrated parts of the hyper - trans - ultra - techno - language of Neoism?!. He invented many more
unmade-machines among them the "Flying Flaming Steam Iron" that has become
know as the symbol of Neoism?!.Throughout the 80s Kantor wore
neo-frankensteinian makeup to signify his trans-technological existence.
Kantor produced his first hydraulic performance-machine "Robot Platform"
in 1992, that was followed by a series of kinetic noise-sculptures
exploring office furniture and especially the file cabinet. The File
Cabinet Project comments on the semi-robotic nature and kinesonic
sculptural system of "office furniture machinery". His recent
cabinet-robots Executive Machinery(1996), Clipmachine (1999) and Integral
Unit (1999) are fully automated computer controlled noise-machines.
Istvan Kantor's main subjects are the decay of technology and the struggle
of the individual in technological society. His work has been described by
the media as rebellious, anti-authoritarian, intellectually assaultive, as
well as technically innovative and highly experimental. His radically
changing and often extreme creative ambitions are always related to his
living environment and social situation. Since 1991 Kantor lives in
Toronto and conducts his wide ranging operations from his office known as
Puppet Government. Kantor toured with Executive Machinery in Europe in
1997/98/99, participating at prestigeous electronic media art festivals in
England, Germany, Holland and Hungary. A selection of his machine-works
were recently exhibited at Inter-Acces in Toronto and at Oboro Gallery in
Montreal.
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