Guanaquerx

Curators: Carolina Pietyra, Elwira Wojtunik-Láng

Guanaquerx reimagines robotics as a tool for planetary liberation. Its point of reference is the historic crossing of the Andes by General José de San Martín’s Revolutionary Army during the struggle for Latin American independence. Two centuries later, the same route becomes the setting for a new speculative expedition, asking whether liberation might concern not only people, but also our relationships with technology and the planet. The project was developed over two years through the collaboration of engineers, artists, craftspeople, programmers, weavers, local muleteers, and historians. It brings contemporary robotics together with Andean materials, knowledge, and symbolism. A key element is the Pluriversal Laws of Robotics, which rewrite Asimov’s laws by extending technological responsibility beyond humans to the Earth and all living beings. Rather than proposing a new machine, Guanaquerx proposes a new scenario for a technological future. Instead of repeating the dominant dream of AI and robotics as tools of control, extraction, and expansion, the project explores a relationship based on collaboration, locality, and responsibility. It asks whether we can imagine a technological future beyond the logic of domination, and whether creating and simulating alternative models might be a first step towards making them real.

Guanaquerx was developed with support from Creative Capital, Hyundai Motor Group, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
The artwork received the Grand Prix Award at Ars Electronica 2025

The Krakow Festival Office is a co-organiser of the exhibition.

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Guanaquerx Crew

Concept & Lead Artist
Paula Gaetano Adi

Robotic Development
John Suh, New Horizons Studio (NHS) – Head
Miguel Grassi – Guanaquerx Lead Robotics Engineer
John Strong, NHS – Lead Mechanical Design Engineer
Zach Nobles, NHS – Lead Robotics Control Systems Software Engineer
Tomas Grassi – Guanaquerx Software Engineer
Jordan Rozendal, NHS – Product Design Engineer
Michael Webber, NHS – Mechanical and Electrical Design Engineer
Pierre Maurer, NHS – Manufacturing and Test Engineer
Qotayba Alrayes, NHS – Robotics Control Systems Software Engineer
Varit (“Ohm”) Vichathorn, NHS – Robotics & Mechatronics Engineer
Henry Cole, NHS – Electrical and Electronics Design Engineer
Noah Hedding, NHS – Power Electronics R&D Engineer
Kyle Cesare, PickNik Robotics – (former) Sr. Robotics Engineer
Lovro Ivanov, PickNik Robotics – Robotics Engineer
Michael Wrock, PickNik Robotics – Robotics Scientist
Davide Faconti, PickNik Robotics – Robotics Architect
Griswald Brooks, PickNik – Senior Robotics Engineer
Mark Moll, PickNik Robotics – (former) Director of Research

Film & Video
Berny Garay Pringles – Producer and Camera Operator
Emanuel – Camera Operator
Facundo Bustamante – Sound Operator
Arturo Delgado – Drone Pilot & Operator
Pavel Romaniko – Photography
Ignacio Ceroi – Editor
Alejandro Borsani – Astrophotography & 360 Video

Artisans & Local Makers
Leo Pelegrin (Malon Bikes) – Bamboo Craftsman & Designer
Javier Bustos – Sound Artist
Hermanos Kuter – Flag Design
Teresa Diaz – Textile Artisan
Arminda Suarez – Textile Artisan
Daniela Suarez – Textile Artisan
Yanina Suarez – Textile Artisan
Pablo Martin – Textile Artisan
Gustavo Ortiz – Wood Prototyping
Isabel Perez – Flag Maker
Rosa Perez – Flag Maker
Facundo Vila – Robustito & I3D

Baqueanos & Expedition Guides
Ramon Ossa – Expedition Coordinator, Explora Parques
Diego Ossa – Expedition Lead, Explora Parques
Mario Tapia – Baqueano
Ricardo Suarez – Baqueano
Vicente Espinosa – Baqueano
Horacio Tello – Baqueano
Gaston Parra – Baqueano
Emiliano Tello – Baqueano
Eduardo Espinosa – Baqueano
Walter Valdevenite – Baqueano
Enzo Vergara – Baqueano
Tania Aguilera – Baqueana
Eugenio Tirado – Baqueano

Research Team
Martina Schilling
Ignacio Heredia

Graphic Design & Web Development
Philip Bayer
Tiger Dingsun

Educational Team
Claudio Alessio – Education Coordinator
Federico Amarfil – Instructor
Julieta Mercado – Student, Escuela Obispo Zapata
Bruno Olmos – Student, Escuela Obispo Zapata
Eliseo Rosales – Student, Escuela Obispo Zapata
Luciano Farias – Student, Escuela Obispo Zapata
Luis Farias – Student, Escuela Obispo Zapata
Ignacio Varela – Student, Escuela Obispo Zapata

Support & Production Team
Sarah Cunnigham – RISD Vice Provost, Strategic Partnerships
Miguel Lastra – Hyundai/RISD Project Manager
Danielle Lilly – RISD Office of Strategic Partnerships
Lali Gaetano – Guanaquerx Local Project Manager
Sheila Arellano, NHS – Content Creator
Zoli Kauker, New Horizons Studio – Lab Manager
Jake Bernal, New Horizons Studio – Sourcing & Procurement
Julie Park, New Horizons Studio – Chief of Staff
Kyle Kirves, PickNik Robotics – Senior Project Manager

Acknowledgments
Joanne Stryker – RISD Dean of Experimental & Foundations Studies
Miguel Licciardi – Asociación San Martiniana
Mario y Vittorio Vatteroni – Turismo Vittorio
Ivanna Rivas – Escuela Obispo Zapata
Leonardo Storniolo – Ceras San Juan
Veronica Borsani – Infographics
Franco Zacha – Yastay Illustration
Louis Hand – Design Assistant
Priscilla Ybarra – Expedition Chronicler
Ijlal Muzzafar – Expedition Chronicler
Jorge Perez – Expedition Doctor
Danzantes Virgen de Andacollo

Los Guanaqueros
Pato Marun
Pebi Zimmerman
Ing. Lucho Cernuda
Bocha Golberg

Graciela Adi & Néstor Gaetano – Life Logistics
Vicente & Ale
Deolinda Correa & Lida Hernández