Make-up Machine : both DESIGN & RESEARCH

MAKE-UP MACHINE (film & installation)

In collaboration with MARGUERITE HUMEAU and GERRIT KAISER. The Make-up Machine was conceived as an instrument of theater as opposed to one of practicality. I like to imagine that if Heath Robinson had been in charge of the props department on a Peter Greenaway directed 70's Sci-Fi Period Drama... well... perhaps the outcome would have been something like this. The machine is programmed via an Arduino board to carry out three stages of the making up process: applying foundation, blusher and lip-stick. What form would ritual and spectacle take now the process has been mechanized? When your physical and mental prowess is no longer required, how can the replacement become elevated above the physical actions required to complete the task? The installation and film was recently exhibited at the Barbican Gallery, London.

Make-up Machine from ben oliver on Vimeo.