https://isaiminia.com/mandhir-singh-todd-a-look-into-the-future-through-art/


https://isaiminia.com/mandhir-singh-todd-a-look-into-the-future-through-art/

"We Paint, Therefore We Resist"
Mandhir Singh Todd Turns Engines into a
Manifesto for Human Emotion
In a world racing toward automation, electrification, and algorithmic design,
artist and inventor Mandhir Singh Todd invites us to slow down—and listen to
the heartbeat of machines that once moved us. His latest solo exhibition, The
Last Brushstroke, is a striking tribute
to the internal combustion engine: not
just as a mechanical object, but as a
powerful symbol of human emotion,
memory, and resistance.
The internal combustion engine has
been the heartbeat of modern
transportation and industry for over a
century, powering everything from
automobiles to airplanes. Its
remarkable ability to convert fuel into
mechanical energy revolutionized the
way we travel, work, and live. As we
stand on the brink of an electric
future, it’s essential to pay tribute to
this incredible invention that has shaped our world in profound ways.
Created over eight months using only oil paint and canvas, Todd's 18 new
pieces reject digital tools entirely. No screens. No sensors. No artificial
intelligence. Just the artist's hand, intuition, and a deep connection with
engines—those complex, noisy, imperfect machines that once defined a
century of mobility and freedom.
"An engine is more than parts and torque," Mikey Todd explains. "It
breathes, it vibrates, it reacts. There's a raw poetry in how it fails, how it
fights to stay alive. No algorithm can replicate that spirit."
From close-up portraits of engine blocks to abstract renderings of piston
movement and heat trails, the exhibition captures the visceral experience of
mechanical life. Thick brushstrokes evoke tension and movement, while
handwritten annotations and visible flaws reinforce Todd's message:
imperfection is what makes things real.
One of the show's most thought-provoking pieces, The Imitation Game,
places original paintings alongside AI-generated interpretations based on
Todd's personal notes. Visitors are invited to explore not just the differences
in technique, but the emotional disconnect between machine-produced
output and human-crafted art.
In parallel, Todd is launching a series of live sessions titled Brush Over Byte,
where he brings together engineers, designers, and motor enthusiasts to
discuss a pressing question: Can artificial intelligence ever replace the
emotional resonance of a machine built—and understood—by human hands?
The Last Brushstroke is not merely a nostalgic look at a fading technology. It
is a bold stand against the erasure of analog experience in a digital world. In
Todd's view, engines are more than obsolete technology—they are metaphors
for being alive. Hot, loud, unpredictable, and flawed.
In conclusion, while we embrace new technologies for a more sustainable
future, let us not forget the legacy of the internal combustion engine. It is a
testament to human ingenuity—a marvel of engineering that transformed
society as we know it. As we shift gears toward alternatives that promise
cleaner energy solutions, may we carry forward its spirit of innovation while
acknowledging its crucial role in our history. Celebrating this legacy ensures
that we recognize where we've come from as we drive into tomorrow's
possibilities.
"As long as engines keep running," Mikey Todd says, "there's hope that
something human still drives us."