Welcome to: The Robotorium: April 2019

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Malevolent Robot Head - Post 2

I am happy with how the malevolent robot head is coming along. I have sorted out the electronics for the lighting and am working on the rest of the bits. First a video of the lighting effects.

And here are my current ideas on more of the fitting out. I am thinking of doing a blaster attached to the mounting hole for the bag. After staring at it for the better part of today I am convinced that this is what I want, I just haven't figured out the execution yet. I also think I will attached the vent thingy above the eye.

More to follow...

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Cambridge Art Association's National Prize Show

Well I got into another show. I submitted 3 pieces the the Cambridge Art Associations National Prize Show and they accepted 1. Not bad considering it was 390 artists and over 1000 pieces! They accepted X-382. Its another great location with lots of exposure. Hopefully he sells!

Way to go buddy!

Monday, April 1, 2019

The Malevolent Head - Post 1

So, about 2 or 3 years ago I was poking around the interweb looking for robot parts and I came across some pictures of Kirby vacuum cleaners. One look and I knew immediately that this was a robot part par excellence. I found a cheap one on E bay and ordered it. When I got it I took it apart and then left it to gather dust until inspiration struck, well strike it did. I hauled it out 2 weeks ago and started to get going on it. Unlike most of my projects this will just be a head and shoulders. I picture it being mounted on a wall (kind of like an animal trophy). This weekend I was working on fitting some Plexiglas for the holes in the motor housing. One of my thoughts is to have some LED's inside for lighting effects. Here is what it looks like - if this doesn't scream evil robot to you - nothing will, stay tuned.

Artists Statement

Robots, the future was supposed to be full of them. I grew up in the shadow of the Apollo program, transfixed as massive machines left Pad 39A, rising on a pillar of fire. I drank up every episode of The Thunderbirds, Star Trek, Creature Double Feature and Dr. Who. I devoured Asimov, Clark and Heinlein. They showed me a future of great adventure and promise, all accompanied by a faithful metal companion; not a Roomba or a self-driving car. While cool, they lack the reassuring yet potentially sinister metal gleam of Robby, or B9 from Lost in Space. They do not lurch from task to task or generate massive electrical arcs. They are not imbued with superhuman strength, and are missing the frightening single-mindedness of Gort or The Terminator.

I have always loved building things. So, given the robotless state of my present, I grabbed a screwdriver and drill and took remnants from the past to make my missing future. I see potential creations in stuff that gets thrown away. I love the machine age look of polished aluminum, wrinkle finished paint, and Bakelite. I look for parts that complement each other. Using cast-offs from a time before transistors, I try to create something with an aesthetic unity. I want my robots to look like they have been used and worked, while broadcasting a personality and sense of presence. I want them to look real, that’s important. Most of all, when I’m done, I want to look at them and laugh. With each creation I get a little closer to the dreams I had as a boy, a little closer to the future I imagined. Step into The Robotorium and let me share with you the way it all could have been.