SOFT MACHINES
Can machines be like us? If not, why? And how would they be different?
During a residency in London, November 2024, Rappard met with scholars from King's College and Goldsmith's University to hear their perspective on the social impact of recent technological development.
This series flows forth from these conversations. It questions whether the human body can be regarded as a temporary machine harbouring an eternal soul, and if so; could a robot develop consciousness, have an inner, emotional life, a sensory body able to touch and feel touch, be able to feel empathy? Can technology be a companion to us, the same way another human being can?
‘Inner Life’ pencil and crayon on paper 168 x 240 cm 2025
'Soft Machines' acrylic, pencil, pastel on paper 220 x 124 cm 2025
'Dualistic Existence' glazed ceramics 210 x 110 cm 2026
‘Movement VII’ collage of jacquard woven elements 174 × 194.5 cm 2023
'Forward' acrylic, oil pastel, pencil on paper 190 x 230 cm 2025
‘Movement’ ceramic relief 104 × 173 cm 2026
‘Silent Tears’ acrylic, pencil, oil pastel on paper 60 × 46.5 cm 2025
‘Socks (or: the sensation of clothing the naked body’ felt pen, pencil on paper 29.5 × 41.5 cm 2025‘Means of Touch’ acrylic, pencil, oil pastel on paper 160 × 235 cm 2026