The Petroglyphomat – Positive vandalism machine by Lorenz Potthast

Created by Lorenz Potthast at the University of Arts, Bremen, The Petroglyphomat is a mobile, computer operated milling machine, that can send messages to a distant future by engraving them into ancient monuments. The project is designed as a strategical reaction to the technical and financial boundaries which normally limit the possibilities to communicate a message to the future. Lorenz's idea is to use long existing, important places which most likely will also exist for a long time in the future as infrastructure and expand them with a new communication layer. The machine creates snapshots of our increasingly digitalized environment by converting pixel-based, iconographical symbols into modern stone engravings (petroglyphs).

The Petroglyphomat is the outcome of a detailed research which is documented in the accompanying book “Communication with the Future”. On a theoretical level the book investigates the historical formation of the concept of a future and the origin of the human desire for perpetuate existence . Also it analyzes existing attempts to conserve communication for a long time, gathers the thoughts and conclusions which led to the concept of the Petroglyphomat and documents its development and usage. The whole project offers a substantial theoretical background and an experimental approach for practical philosophizing about the connection between tradition, transience and our understanding of past, present and future.

Sorry, this is Members Only content. Please Log-in.

Join us today by becoming a Member.

  • Archive: More than 3,500 project profiles, scores of essays, interviews and reviews.
  • Publish: Post your projects, events, announcements.
  • No Ads: No advertisements, miners, banners.
  • Education: Tutorials (beginners and advanced) with code examples, downloads.
  • Jobs Archive: Find employers who have recruited here in the past (over 800 jobs).
  • Discounts: Special offers and giveaways (events, books and media).

Become a Member

/++

/+