It’s perhaps no surprise that his first solo art show, “The Automaton Project 2025”, features 66 handmade robot figurines, displayed in immersive installations.
“It’s going to be a very cinematic art exhibition. I wanted to create something fresh and unique for people,” Jayasuria, 28, told FMT Lifestyle.
“Most of the effects and models of those films in the past were done in a practical manner, and their artistry has always impressed me. And that’s been part of what inspired “The Automaton Project 2025”.
The artist estimates about 80-90% of the figurines he created were hand-made with upcycled materials, such as discarded computer parts, bottle caps, and nasal sprays. He estimates he took a few months to design and create them all.
Many of them have deliberately been made to look somewhat worn-down and weather-beaten, to emphasise the dystopian nature of their world.
Some also feature unique Easter eggs in their design: Malaysians can spot the logos of some familiar brands incorporated on their exterior!
What kind of world did these robot figurines reside in? Jayasuria said that this was left to the viewer’s imagination.
He revealed that there had been no concrete story when he began creating them: all he knew was there had been a global government-issued secret project that had gone wrong, and these robots were all out in the wild now.
Viewers can piece together what happened, however, by examining information in the figurines’ packages and the set Jayasuria is designing for them.
“I didn’t want to give too much away. Where the robots are, what they’re doing, how dangerous they are, it’s completely for the audience to fill in the blanks,” he said.
“That’s the most gratifying part for me as an artist, hearing what people have to say and how the art has made them think.”
His creative design, however, isn’t just limited to the design of the figurines he’s created. He aims to give his exhibition visitors increased immersion into the world of his robots, mainly by utilising film and cinematic techniques.
For “The Automaton Project 2025”, Jayasuria aims to bring his world to life by transforming the art venue into a movie set. For him, film and fine art are two sides of the same coin, and his aim is to integrate elements from both worlds to create as immersive an atmosphere as possible.
“We want people to be as immersed as possible. We’ve got props, we’ve got things hanging from the ceiling, we’ve got lighting and smoke machines and so on. We want people to come in and look at the robots and feel like they’ve stepped into a different universe,” he said.
A friend of his has also composed several evocative tracks that will play throughout the exhibition. For extra realism, the packaging on his figurines is deliberately crafted to mimic the protective casing used for biohazardous materials.
Jayasuria ultimately hopes his creations will be enjoyed by audiences, particularly those from the collector crowd. He hopes to stage more projects in future, including a Volume 2 of his exhibition with more robot assemblages!
“I think many people have a fascination with robots. Especially nowadays with all these advancements with AI and technology. So, I think people are always curious about how far we can develop these robots. Though ultimately, I think nothing beats the human spirit,” he said.
“Whether you are a tech lover, a movie buff, or just curious about this, I urge you to come and check out “The Automaton Project 2025”. Your senses are going to be stimulated. I don’t think something like this has been done in Malaysia before, so come try something new,” he concluded.
‘The Automaton Project 2025’
Where: AweGallery, 21 Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
When: Oct 10-20; 11am-8pm daily
For more information, follow AweGallery on Instagram.