# Fluid-Fueled Printers The Ghost in the Machine Project by Ted Lawson Draws Blood By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2014-08-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ted-lawson References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/art/ted-lawson-robotic-blood-machine-08-26-2014/) & [tedlawson](http://www.tedlawson.com/) Ted Lawson has a knack for designing artwork that makes people both cringe and question his meaning behind everything. For his latest work entitled 'Ghost in the Machine,' the artist is attaching himself to a [robotic printer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eprint) which actually draws from his own blood for ink. The printer has been programmed ahead of time to be able to draw a version of Lawson's body, so it's just a case of him sitting in a chair nearby, using an IV and waiting for the work to be complete. Granted, it is slightly unnerving to know that bodily fluid is being used to finish the artwork, but Lawson wants to push viewers outside of their comfort zones, even if it does mean taking blood from his own body (as long as no one tries this at home). Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/art/ted-lawson-robotic-blood-machine-08-26-2014/), [tedlawson](http://www.tedlawson.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 25% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fluid-fueled Printers:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the printing industry by using unconventional materials such as blood as ink. - **Robotic Artwork:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the art industry by combining robotics and human bodily fluids to create unconventional artwork. - **Pushing Boundaries:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the artistic expression industry by challenging viewers' comfort zones and pushing the limits of what art can be. ### Where This Applies - **Printing:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the printing industry by exploring new materials and processes for creating artwork. - **Art:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the art industry by incorporating robotics and unconventional materials, such as bodily fluids, into the artistic process. - **Artistic Expression:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the artistic expression industry by pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or traditional in art. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Motion Liquid Art Distortions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lidris.md) - [Freestyle Desktop Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dual-printer-device.md) - [Chromatic AI Food Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikoffy-edibot.md) - [Palm-Sized Tattoo Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temporary-tattoo-device.md) - [Edible Ink Confectionery Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edible-ink-printer.md) - [AI-Powered Tattoo Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imprintu.md) - [Robotic Portrait Sketches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pankraz-piktograph.md) - [AI-Powered Tattoo Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blackdot-device.md) - [Open Platform Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/open-printer.md)