PhD Oral Exam - Joseph Thibodeau, Individualized Program

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

Machine-human relationships exemplify humanity’s relationships with materiality at-large, as well as relationships with the "other", with society, and with the notion of “human” itself. This thesis investigates the social construction of ontological boundaries between humans and machines through a research-creation process centred around technician-machine relationships in design, maintenance and repair. Over the course of six years, the author developed four major projects that serve as case studies, each focused on a specific kind of social encounter: Machine Ménagerie, an installation and research-performance around relationships in design; Chronogenica, a machine-human cooperative organization; Ritualizing Care in Human-Robot Relations, an artistic residency with a robot collaborator; and The Nature Reserve of Useless Robots, an interactive installation for showing care towards machines.

Drawing on the knowledge-sharing practices of technician communities, the author uses narrative as a primary method for conveying the idiosyncrasies of each project and the specific machines involved. In return for the author’s care and attention, and given space to express themselves on their own terms, the machines contributed something of their own knowledge to the thesis. Supposedly-objective dominant truths about machine-ness fell away to reveal an underlying irrationality, highlighting the everyday practices of reality-construction that can empower us to alter our relationships with those nonhumans we care for (and who care for us).