It was a dusk that seemed to extend well past the expiration of light in the sliver of sky above the narrow street. Visitors emerged from and disappeared into the abyss at the end of the street, diving for the unknowable depths of the city. This little pool of light remained bright and vital.
I was exploring the city outskirts by bike one afternoon when these two passed me going the other way, the plant’s leaves making quite a racket in the breeze. A while later I passed the plant nursery they must have been shopping at; the place was a hive of activity with robots moving between the rows of plants, stooping to inspect this one or that and others pushing carts laden with plants of various sizes.
September 9, 10, and 11. Oregon Convention Center, Portland Oregon. The robots will be set up in Artist Alley, table E11! Come visit and check out all the amazing artists in the Alley, watch the incredible cosplayers, and maybe grab some fab merch. See you there!
I couldn’t help but wonder what must be going through their mind as they sat there alone and in silence, eyes skyward. Mind adrift in an inky sea, studded with glittering stars.
Hello friend. Save for obvious variations in gross surface anatomy, the robots might appear to be indistinguishable from each other. But each one is wonderfully unique, its life story told via scratches and dents on its housings.
(Don’t forget— the freshest content can be found on Instagram @robotoftheday !)
I spotted this brightly-colored robot across the street, a brief bubble of contemplation in the surrounding bustle of the market district. I know some robots employ temporary methods of decoration; it takes real commitment to go with anodizing dyes.
Hanging around outside a rechargé one evening and these two caught my eye. They appeared to be waiting with patience only robots seem to be able to muster. After a time I made a quick pencil sketch to document the scene. Eventually I began to rummage for an ink pen to proceed further when the third member of their party arrived (from an apparently unexpected vector) and all three proceeded to squeeze into the cab of this improbably tiny vehicle. After just a few moments of arranging themselves, the truck, cargo, and three robots hummed away from the curb and disappeared around the corner into the deepening twilight.
A quick street portrait. This time of year the night light is harsh, contrasty and full of reflections.
Copic Wide markers are always fun (and a little intimidating!) to use. I’m never sure I’m going to be able to make them work, but they always surprise me!
It’s been far too long since I last visited the robots. Life, right? I managed to get away and explore some more side streets and encountered this bookseller. I couldn’t really tell what the sign meant but all of the books I picked up seemed to be about cats. So… a cat book store?
Once inside cats could be found lurking more or less inconspicuously. A few were quite outgoing and friendly, occasionally “checking in” with me as I browsed the shelves.
Don’t adjust your chronograph, we’re still working through the highlights of our backlog.
It’s the fleeting unguarded moments that catch my eye: a turn of the head, a mid-stride adjustment, the way a bag’s weight is automatically adjusted. These little moments amid the hustle and bustle, these little glimpses into an inner light, make the citizens of this city so much more real to me.
The robots never “sleep” for lengthy periods of time; this makes wandering their cities both endlessly fascinating and exhausting. I am especially drawn to these crowded alleys: they are always buzzing with all manner of activity and always in a state of perpetual dusk.