"Robot-ism 1950-2000," an event examining the influence of the robot on art and technology in Japan, will be held in Tokyo through March 2.
The event will illuminate the development of robot animation since the day Astro Boy (known as Tetsuwan Atomu in Japan), burst onto the scene, and look at the state of the art in robot technology as epitomized by AIBO, the robot dog.
Sponsored by the Tokyo-based foundation Computer Graphic Arts Society, the event includes an exhibition of robot-related artwork, a film tracing the history of robot animation in Japan, stage performances and symposiums. The exhibition will include the latest robots, including AIBO and P3.
A live performance by the art unit Maywadenki will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26; admission 3,000 yen.
A series of symposiums will be held between Feb. 26 and March 1, in which artists, scholars and engineers will hold discussions on the design, mechanism and artistic aspects of the robot. Symposium admission 2,000 yen.