Robert Balke: The Artist Behind Fascinating Drawing Machines

Robert Balke is an artist from Tübingen. He came to art via the detour of his mechanical drawing machines. He uses these to create various geometries. The artist himself describes his method as a mathematical-musical approach to form-finding. Balke has been working on this topic since 2012 and has experimented a lot with the technology and constructed various prototypes. Since then, numerous mechanical devices have been created that are capable of generating very different images. In the process, the artist has found fine graphic structures that not only inspired him, but even caused a certain obsession. That is why he now builds one machine after another to explore their possibilities.

Art and mathematics - new geometric structures with drawing machines

Balke wants to use his drawing machines to find new geometric structures and understand fundamental principles from mathematics, music or nature and implement them artistically. The aim of the mechanical process is primarily the creation of harmonious forms. The special thing about Robert Balke's mechanical devices is that they are constructed in such a way that all the images they produce are completely different. Each one is therefore unique. The drawing process is purely mechanical in nature. There is no algorithm. The frequencies of the motors can be set and changed as required using various buttons on the respective apparatus. For example, one of the mechanical devices has three frequencies for the drawing pen and an additional motor that rotates the sheet. Depending on exactly how these influencing variables are set, modified and harmonize with each other, the result is a special work of art with an infinite variety of possibilities.

Artist sometimes changes pictures several times during the creation process

During the process of creating his pictures, the artist sometimes changes the speed of the motors of his drawing machines several times. This can result in chaotic-looking forms on a sheet of paper. Here Robert Balke sees a parallel to disharmonies in music. Other settings, on the other hand, can also lead to symmetrical forms. This can be the case, for example, when two motors run at approximately the same speed and the third works twice as fast - Balke speaks here of an octave, using another recourse to the language of music. By not rotating the sheet on which the artwork is created and then rotating it again, the forms created by the drawing machine appear to be fanned out. When Balke wants to create more harmonious-looking images, he restricts himself to a single frequency ratio when setting the motors.

Robert Balke creates a contrast of harmony and chaos

Robert Balke likes to work with the contrast between harmony and chaos. The basis for the harmony is a circular shape that can be found in all his pictures. He compares this with an inner, centering force. In contrast to this, chaos functions as wildness, energy and dynamism. He creates this through dabs of color, which he applies to the picture by hand using various techniques - for example in the form of abstract-looking dabs of color. This polarity creates a higher level of tension and energy, which his artworks radiate. This contrast is also evident in the production and creation process of the works themselves. While his drawing machine works slowly, successively and harmoniously, Balke's manual application of paint is deliberately fast, energetic and chaotic.

Small works of art from as little as 120 euros

Robert Balke sells small framed pictures for as little as 120 euros. The larger the work and the more complex the production process, the higher the price. Medium-sized pictures are available for around 1,700 euros. Large-format works of art by Balke, on the other hand, can cost up to 4,000 euros. According to the artist himself, this is an attempt to cover the entire price spectrum.