Kalman Spelletich's Walking Machines at Art Murmur June 5, 2009

Johansson Projects presents Kal Spelletich's walking, crawling, scuttling and shuffling robots to invade the art corridor of Art Murmur on June 5th. A walking BBQ and other interactive life-sized creatures are roused to life through audience operation.
The artist relates "I, of course, do not remember learning to crawl or walk. I wish I could. But these most basic locomotive system operations have always intrigued me. From the first sea creatures crawling out of the water to a child's first tenuous steps...
Movements, be it a gait, a hop, a dance, a slither or a swagger always seem to give some enlightening insight into the mover. I hope these robots honor all creatures that have evolved towards slithering, hopping and walking as well as insights into the audience members who choose to operate them."

Kal Spelletich, the seventh of nine children, was born in an elevator and raised in Davenport, Iowa, recently named "America's Worst Place to Live." Shortly after being given a chemistry set at the set age of nine, he started constructing tree houses, boats, blowing up aerosol cans, experimenting with with electricity, fire and fireworks. He now lives on the waterfront of San Francisco in an industrial district where he scours junkyards and dumpsters for industrial items whose technology can be reapplied. Kal sometimes teaches at SF State University, lectures and presents workshops at schools and Universities around the US and exhibits internationally. His latest work involves experimenting with bio-morphic inputs that trigger machines and robots to provide viewers with a direct, real-life experience.

Official Website: http://www.oaklandartmurmur.com