The Robot Monkey Chimpionship: The Interview
We e-sat down with the creator of the Robot Monkey Sports Network, who's hosting a Chimpionship tomorrow at TBD. You can control your very own robot, drunkenly battling it out with other robot controllers in a vicious battle to determine who is best - Williamsburg or Greenpoint.
Here's the listing on Thrillist, and check out our interview with the leader of the monkeys after the jump, where we learn if a monkey has ever turned on him during a tune-up (it has) and who he's picking to win...
The Robot Monkey Chimpionship seems like some twisted combination of Robot Wars (or was it Beast Wars?) and my worst nightmares. Can you tell me a little about your history with the robots?
I used to work for a toy inventing company specializing in radio control toys. There, I learned that a playset including 8 R/C vehicles and a scale model stadium was not exactly mass marketable. But I really wanted it, so I decided to build it myself. The “Robot Monkey Sports Network" project began in 2005 to give people an opportunity to play team sports without having to go outside and get sweaty. It has evolved to become an interactive spectacle that blurs the lines between fine art and gaming.
Have you ever had the robots turn on you? Any serious injuries as a ref?
Actually, I sliced my hand pretty badly while tuning up a particularly unruly Robot Monkey a few days ago. Here is the pic on Facebook [ed: also above].
No humans have been injured yet during a match. But a Robot Monkey once had his arm ripped off during a game and kept on playing, ignoring his personal well being for the sake of his team. Their fighting spirit knows no boundaries.
How is the chimpionship's format set up? Are there teams per monkey? or Individuals?
The Robot Monkey World Chimpionship is a single elimination tournament. 2 teams of 4 Robot Monkeys each play a soccer style game in the Circle of Doom Arena. Four human team members on each team operate the Monkeys via remote control. Sponsored teams can have 2 full-time players, but the audience will be able to sign up fill out the roster. Along with the Chimpionship trophy, the winning team will receive neighborhood bragging rights, accolades, and the glory of dominating the Robot Monkey universe.
Where can people get their own robot monkey to train and tend to and sleep with and so forth?
I create each Robot Monkey by hand from toy parts, found plastic objects and labels, and radio control components. The Robot monkeys and other artwork will be for sale at the event and later on www.robotmonkey.net and danwalkerart.com. For a $300 sponsorship, you get a monkey to keep AND a coveted slot in the tournament. Teams can be sponsored for as little as $50, but it's just not the same without your own Robot Monkey to care for.
What other big plans do you have following the great greenpoint v. w'burg
battle?
I'm raising funds to take the Monkeys to Chicago for an art event this summer held by MyPAC (myprivateartclub.com). They promote cross-city exchanges of groups of collaborating artists. The Monkeys and stadium, covered in local iconagrophy, will be representing Brooklyn along side work from other NY urban artists.
Who are you picking (even deep down, its ok you can tell us we won't tell the monkeys)?
The red team has added some strength and power with the addition of new tank treads to members of their roster. But the blue team has a lot of speed and agility. It's going to come down to whoever is not too drunk to control their Monkeys. The 1/2 price Jameson and Absolut for the first two hours of the event at t.b.d., Brooklyn (224 franklin st.) may have a big effect on the outcome.
Get your monkey on tomorrow at TBD (flyer).
