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Cabarete
von • by Robert Balke

www.robertbalke.de

Generative art is a form of artistic creation that focuses not on the

artwork itself but on the process of its generation. As the main rep-

resentative of kinetic art, which works with moving objects in

space, the Swiss Jean Tinguely explored generative production

processes of graphics using drawing machines more than 50 years

ago. One person who brings this idea to life today is the freelance

artist Robert Balke from Tübingen. He constructed several proto-

types before he made his breakthrough in 2012. While still pursu-

ing his communication design studies at Aachen University of Ap-

plied Sciences, Balke was able to complete his first kinetic drawing

machine (picture below). The principle: a drawing pen is attached

to an arm construction, which is then moved in circles over a sheet

of paper by means of three drive motors. The speed of the motors

can be adjusted individually so that new patterns are created over

and over again. Meanwhile, Balke has already developed five ki-

netic drawing machines and has even turned his passion into his

main profession. On his website (robertbalke.de) and on insta-

gram (@robertbalke) the artist regularly presents his latest art-

works and techniques.