SOFTlab, a New York-based technology and design studio, recently partnered with IBM to create an architectural sculpture for the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona this year. In honor of the host city, SOFTlab enlisted Watson, IBM's famous cognitive platform, to help design a sculpture inspired by Barcelona's patron architect: Antoni Gaudi.
In building the sculpture, SOFTlab fed Watson thousands of images and articles about Barcelona as a whole and Gaudi in particular. Watson then made "conceptual suggestions about form, color, and temperament," according to the project description on SOFTlab's site. The resultant sculpture references the genius architect in several different ways: its iridescent mosaic reminds viewers of the pavilion at Park Guell or the facade of Casa Batllo, and its hanging chains are a undeniable reference to Gaudi's revolutionary gravity-driven models.
Robotic Architectural Sculptures
SOFTlab and IBM's Watson Created This Gaudi-Inspired Sculpture
Trend Themes
1. Cognitive Design - Using cognitive platforms like IBM's Watson to assist in the design process can lead to innovative and unique creations in architecture and sculpture.
2. Inspired by Influencers - Drawing inspiration from renowned architects and artists like Antoni Gaudi can result in awe-inspiring architectural sculptures that captivate audiences.
3. Data-driven Creativity - Leveraging data, such as images and articles, to inform the creative process can open up new possibilities for artistic expression in multiple industries.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - The collaboration between technology and design studios presents an opportunity to revolutionize the architectural industry, creating structures that incorporate cognitive design.
2. Art - Combining the expertise of artists with cognitive platforms like IBM's Watson can lead to the creation of groundbreaking sculptures that push the boundaries of traditional art forms.
3. Technology - Integrating cognitive platforms into the creative process can fuel innovation and disruption within the technology industry, unlocking new possibilities for creative applications.