Machines at work is an interactive installation consisting of three machines that react to one another, as well as their environments, to create collaborative paintings. The installation looks at the social behaviour that can be formed between independent machines through simple interactions.

The ‘painter’ uses a motorised arm to dip a brush into a pot of ink and brushes this onto the surface of the paper. The ‘drawer’ holds a marker pen against the paper and draws lines based on its pattern of movement. Both machines are equipped with microphones and proximity sensors that influence their actions based on the sounds and positions around them. Each machine has five distinct movement patterns, which become increasingly erratic in response to louder noises. A third machine also works to provoke both the ‘painter’ and ‘drawer’ by creating a loud noise when triggered.

Rather than focusing on a predetermined outcome, Machines at Work sets up the conditions for emergent behaviour. This results in every painting and performance being different.