Uncanny

After discussions with Patrick, decided the direction for research will focus on this idea of the uncanny, specifically this energy force that seems to exude from Automata. The interaction we as an audience engage in with Automata and 'mechanisms that resemble life', creates a bond, one seen in the Descartes myth, but also in modern devices like the Real Doll. But what is it about this movement, gesture of independence that makes a moving device seem alive. Looking into Freud' discussion about uncanny, discovered some of his theory is based on Ernst Jentsch. Jentsch defines uncanny as the fear of the unfamiliar and it is based on intellectual uncertainty. Freud expands on this, with a psychoanalytic approach. His conclusion is that uncanny is a combination of 1)the act of a repressed childhood experience being revived, reacting in a 'double" or opposite way, where a defense mechanism turns that pleasurable childhood experience into a feared one and 2) a primitive belief, which has been overcome, seems once more to be confirmed. the importance of the definition seems to be this distinction between a childhood view upon Automata, wanted dolls to come to life, and in adult hood, fearing them. Perhaps we learn to recognize or react the uncanny.

My monster will focus on recognition/ response of 'independent- free movement within its surroundings and itself. Movement that mimics the self. Here is a link for a Japanese robotics/ facial expression study, investigating emotion in faces through 19 moving parts of a humanoid.

http://www.reuters.com/news/video/videoStory?videoId
=55538&newsChannel=technologyNews