About

African Robots is an interventionist art project that introduces interactive electronics to street wire art. A common sight in Southern African cities is that of ‘wire artists’ plying their trade in public places. These artists make ingenious use of ordinary steel fencing wire to make three-dimensional objects to sell: cars, bicycles, and aeroplanes, as well as animals, fish, birds, and flowers.

Founded by Southern African sculptor, researcher and curator Ralph Borland, African Robots grew from a desire for collaboration to create new forms of wire art. Our intention is to celebrate this medium and bring fresh attention to it as a deeply-rooted vernacular practice that expresses some of the essential artistic urges to observe and represent.

We bring wire art and artists into galleries, museums and universities, bridge popular culture and fine art, break down barriers between art and craft, and technology with hand-work. We connect communities across a range of social, cultural and economic situations. For more information about the project see: AfricanRobots.net

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