ROBOT SCULPTURES BY TAL AVITZUR

FOUND OBJECT ASSEMBLAGE ART

I started visiting scrap metal yards in the 1990s looking for material to use for projects on a fixer-upper home that I purchased in Santa Barbara, California. Since brass, aluminum and other metals have value, items containing metal often end up in scrap yards rather than in the trash. I was amazed at what I was finding, vintage items like tools, kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, electric fans and scientific equipment. At the time, little did I know that was the beginning of an obsession with hoarding items from the salvage yards that I considered treasures, but were not needed for home repairs. After a few years, my gardening shed became pretty full and I decided it was time to do something with all the material, for fear of being labeled a crazy hoarder. The designs of many of the objects (circa 1930s through 1970s) seemed as if many of their creators had secret desires to be building robots. So I started putting together parts to create robot sculptures. Though I have since branched out to making art pieces that are not robots, many still refer to me as The Robot Guy.

Though some of the robots below have found homes, many are still available. If you have any questions or if you are interested in purchasing, feel free to let me know.