The Lonely Robot, a whimsical and playful little robot who was left behind while his family went on holidays over Christmas one year, took it upon himself to play cards, look out the window to passersby, make Christmas decorations and try to keep himself occupied at the Robot Repair Shop until everyone came back. The Lonely Robot became quite famous in Pittsburgh as he occupied a vacant storefront in downtown Pittsburgh during the Project Pop Up Pittsburgh: Downtown, which was a collaboration between the Mayor’s office, the Urban Redevelopment Authority , the Department of City Planning, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Office of Public Art.
The Lonely Robot became such a beloved part of downtown Pittsburgh during this project that people started to take pictures of themselves in front of the shop with the little robot peering through the window of the Robot Repair Shop. Everyone loved him and he became a charming part of the downtown art scene. This original project was part of multiple installations to fill empty storefronts with art works rather than having empty building facades facing onto the streets. These public works of art were a great success and especially Toby Atticus Fraley’s darling Robot Repair Shop and the star of the exhibit, the Lonely Robot. The original storyline at the downtown store front included the Lonely Robot whiling away the time waiting for his humans to return to the shop. He even made an escape and was headed for California but he broke down on the way – oh no! – and had to be shipped back to Pittsburgh.
Now, Fraley and his famous robot have teamed up with the Pittsburgh International Airport to place an art installation starring the Lonely Robot and his Robot Repair Shop with other robots in a larger installation space. The new installation will feature a brand new storyline with several robots. The story will unfold over time so visitors can follow the adventures of the Lonely Robot and Co. The exhibition is expected to draw a large crowd of followers especially because the Lonely Robot has already entered the hearts of many in Pittsburgh.
Currently, Fraley has a Kickstarter Project online in an attempt to raise the funds to cover the costs of the installation. The Airport Authority is donating space on one of the concourses for the duration of this long term art installation. You can find out more about the Kickstarter Project here: Robot Repair Shop Fraley expects the new installation to open at the Pittsburgh International Airport in September 2015. So if you are lucky enough to be passing through Pittsburgh International then stop by the Robot Repair Pit and check out what our little friend the Lonely Robot is up to next! Hopefully he won’t be so lonely this time around.
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