Can’t Help Myself, Why This Viral Robot Artwork Shocked the Art World

Can't Help Myself: An Exploration of Art and Automation

Overview of the Artwork

• The artwork "Can't Help Myself" by artists Sun Yuan and Pu features a giant industrial robotic arm encased in a clear glass box, which interacts with a thick, glossy red liquid that appears almost alive.

• The primary function of the robotic arm is to continuously sweep the spilled liquid back towards itself, showcasing an automated response to its environment.

Mechanisms and Movements

• Overhead sensors detect when the spill extends too far from the core, prompting the arm to spring into action, scraping and scooping up the fluid.

• As it works, the robot exhibits programmed gestures—such as bows and twitches—that suggest an attempt at expressing emotions beyond its mechanical duties.

Themes of Fatigue and Struggle

• As time progresses, signs of fatigue become evident; the robot's movements slow down and grow heavier while the red liquid continues to spread across its workspace.

• This gradual decline in efficiency raises questions about automation's limits and evokes themes of struggle against inevitable failure.