DIFFERENT ROBOT

Anna Frants, with the participation of CYLAND MediaArtLab
Installation, 2025
C, Python, Arduino, and Raspberry PI boards, stepper and servo motors, web camera, microphone, PLA plastic
Engineers: Philipp Avetisov, Eugene Ovsyannikov, Dmitry Shirokov, Maxim Lukin 

Technical Description: The Robot is driven by stepper motors that define the primary trajectories of its movement. Control is implemented through a combination of Arduino and Raspberry Pi, with software developed in C++ and Python. For data input, the system employs a wide-angle digital camera, a microphone, and an ultrasonic sensor. Output devices include a paper-feed mechanism, the robot’s “eyes” mounted on a servo drive, and an optional display.
 

Different Robot by Anna Frants features Anatoly, a robot-hand that reacts to variations in voice volume and speech, translating sound into movement. Through these spontaneous interactions, the work proposes that creativity can arise from algorithmic responsiveness and chance.

Participation in Exhibitions:

Robot-in-the-Loop: interactive media installations /in frames of International Media Art Festival CYFEST: Midpoint/ 🗓️October 19 -25, 2025 | 📍Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA Yerevan)

OBSTINACY AND PERSISTENCE

Anna Frants
from series “Coordinate system”
Installation, 2023

Arduino C, Python; Raspberry Pi 3, Arduino controllers; micro projectors, media players, LED strip; artificial plastic rock, podium

Engineers: Philipp Avetisov, Denis Andreev, Eugene Ovsyannikov, Dmitry Shirokov
Video engineer: Alexander Bochkov
Supported by CYLAND MediaArtLab

In her work “Obstinacy and Persistence”, Anna Frants reflects on these apparent synonyms. Obstinacy is common to both humans and animals, and even more so to the latter, since the saying goes “obstinate as a mule”, and not the other way around. As for persistence, it is mainly characteristic of people who possess this quality, helping them to win at any work, even as meaningless as the one Sisyphus had. Camus, however, believed that the Sisyphean labor has as much meaning as most of our contemporary jobs in factories or offices. An obstinate creature will make every effort to not budge. But a persistent person will be moving forward or upward, overcoming all the obstacles and being guided by a star in the sky or, by flickers of light running up the tamarind seedpod.

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VAGARIES OF AFFECTION

Anna Frants, with the participation of CYLAND MediaArtLab
Arduino C, Python; Raspberry Pi 3, stepper and servo motors, aluminum tubes, steel, PLA plastic acoustic horn, vinyl records, podium.
2023

Engineers: Philipp Avetisov, Eugene Pavlov, Eugene Ovsyannikov, Dmitry Shirokov
Supported by CYLAND MediaArtLab
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