"Normally, when you say artificial intelligence, it would typically conjure images of sleek servers and lightning-fast processing. But designer Max Park has taken a radically different approach. His project "Prompting Nowhere" transforms a vintage Singer treadle sewing machine into a thought-provoking AI system that challenges our assumptions about technology, labor, and human values. The project draws its name and inspiration from William Morris's 1890 utopian novel "News from Nowhere," which envisioned an anti-industrialist society where craft and art formed the backbone of civilization ."
"Park's creation represents a fascinating fusion of old and new technologies. He modified the vintage sewing machine so that the foot pedal powers a computer instead of driving stitches through fabric. The transparent top reveals the modern computing components housed within the antique frame, creating a visual dialogue between eras of human innovation. This AI machine is unique not just because of its form but also because of its unconventional power source."
"Unlike mainstream language models, Park's system has been specifically trained on data relating to William Morris and his philosophies. The connection between manual effort and output through treadling creates a deliberate friction that stands in stark contrast to the instant gratification of contemporary AI interfaces. This physical engagement with the machine forces users to invest bodily effort in their interactions, transforming the typically passive experience of AI consumption into an active, embodied practice."
Max Park transformed a vintage Singer treadle sewing machine into an AI system called "Prompting Nowhere." The treadle foot pedal now powers a computer while a transparent top exposes modern components within the antique frame, juxtaposing eras of innovation. The project references William Morris's 1890 utopian novel News from Nowhere and uses Morris-related data to train the model. Users must pump the pedal to submit prompts, creating deliberate physical friction that links manual effort to computational output. The design reframes AI interaction from passive consumption to active, embodied craftlike practice, questioning technology, labor, and values.
Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News
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