Jun 05 2008
Ryan
The term robot originates from the Czech word robota, meaning “compulsory labor.” It was first used in the 1921 play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by the Czech novelist and playwright Karel Capek. The word robot has been used since to refer to a machine that performs work to assist people or work that humans find difficult or undesirable.
Unfortunately for the human race, robots will eventually become self aware killing machines and exterminate everyone who doesn’t move to an underground city. I’m not really sure what robots do after the humans are gone, but that really doesn’t matter. This more than likely outcome is a great starting point for robotic based artwork. There are many many sources for robot artwork out there. From digital works to paintings to sculptures, I’ve posted some of my favorite below.
How to Survive a Robot Uprising
One of my all time favorite works of fiction is the book, How to Survive a Robot Uprising. In this little gem you will learn such things as:
- How to spot a robot mimicking a human
- How to recognize and deactivate a rebel robot
- How to escape a murderous “smart house” and or a swarm of robot flies
- and many more essential tips
This really is a great short book, it appears also that they will be making it into a movie. One can only hope anyway.
Jeremy Mayer: Cyborg robotic figures from disassembled typewriters
Jeremy Mayer, a California artist, does all kinds of neat sculptures and CAD drawings. ” Mr. Mayer stresses the importance of quality of materials used and attention to detail that resonates with each work. His larger sculptures can take up to 1,200 hours to complete, and the drawings (often done with use of CAD and 3D modeling programs to assist in constructing each figure before hand-rendering) can take up to 200 hours.”
Just look at these amazing robot sculptures he made out of old typewriter parts.
Dave the Robot
I love this little guy. He has been around for a little while now and I would probably buy one of the aluminum, brass, cast resin and glass sculptures if I had any way to display it. My purchase will have to wait until I move into a bigger place maybe further out from the city. It would be glorious to have a little army of these guys.
Nemo Gould
“With years of accumulating post-consumer waste and a lifetime of absorbing pop culture imagery, Nemo Gould has been creating his signature style of kinetic metal and found object sculpture for over 20 years. Old vacuum cleaners, dead bugs, used dentures and sewing machine motors all find their unerringly rightful place in his surreal creatures and abstract sculptures, which have attracted museums, galleries and eccentric art collectors throughout the Bay Area and abroad.”
Nemo is just amazing. Look at some of these pieces:
Vintage Robot Pin
I found this awesome and very inexpensive Robot pin over on etsy for only $5.
“I made this Jet-Age Robot pin using images of actual vintage robots and transforming them into a Brooch. Printed paper on wood and laser cut with incredible detail.
Image protected with clear finish. Reverse painted black with locking pinback. Measures 2 1/2″ high x 1 1/4″ wide x 1/8″ thick.”
The only problem is I don’t have any use for a pin. I can just see the package arriving at home to my wifes excited hands. She rips open the box to see a small robot pin, all her hopes of jewelry or plane tickets to some exotic location smashed. I would get that “why did you buy this” look I get when she sees a piece of art I bought that she just doesn’t understand.
You’ve Convinced Me
I love robot books and movies and art, so how could I not create my own? My work can’t compare to the amazing works I’ve found and put here, but I want to show you what I’ve been influenced to make. BEHOLD!
So these are some of my favorite pieces I’ve found around. Please share any others you know of that you like.
Artist 
