On Feb. 28, the Cafe Entropy in downtown Albuquerque hosted a robot laser show as part of the City Brights and Albuquerque Art Walk events. The event took place through March 7.
During this particular night, artist Jordan MacHardy was on hand to discuss the robots and the experiential art exhibit.
“We’re building out an experiential art museum here in this whole space,” MacHardy said.
The lights came out of the robots’ hands and foreheads, sending green lasers around the room alongside the music. The studio was open and free to attend.
The experience is part of an installation by MacHardy and artist Aaron Mancha. MacHardy said that he and his partner “designed and built every part” of the robots, and programmed them as well.
“I’m a mechanical engineer by trade,” MacHardy said.
The City of Albuquerque gave the artists a grant for the installation as part of a move to fund downtown lighting-based art installations, according to MacHardy.
The Albuquerque City Brights event has manifested a few different lighting-based art installations. Up the road at Damacios Bar and Tapas was “Flowers Bloom Because of You” by Hong Yan. It included a giant flower which was lit in the center and opened and closed through passerby activation.
Over time, Cafe Entropy will continue to develop with other exhibits, as well as a venue and a bar, MacHardy said.
“It’s just starting,” MacHardy said. “The attractions will continue to come.”
Emmett Di Mauro is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
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