slobot – Customizers behind the Scene

Tell me something about you?

I am Mike Slobot. I have been working on my own brand of robots for the past several years called “the Slobots”. The Slobots are found object sculptures, and I also use some vinyl toys in their creations. The Slobots are friendly robots and most of them have stories that go along with them.

What is your favourit DIY Toy?

my favorites are 8” Qee and the 10” Madl.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I look at everyday objects, and usually get an idea for a new robot by the shape of a toy or a plastic cup or bottle. I really like plastic items, so I use a lot of that as the found object parts of my Slobots. I also really like pop art and bright colors.

Since when are you doing Vinyl toys?

I started making custom toys in 2005 when I entered the Play Imaginative Trexi contest, but my first full scale slobot was for the Munny Show at Uberbot in Florida in late 2005.

How large is your private Vinyl toy Collection?

My collection is pretty small, and mostly just items I pick up once in awhile. I have some madl’s from the first release, a few 8” dunnys, and some other stuff. I would love to buy more stuff to keep, especially some of the stuff from Unklebrand, but I usually end up customizing more everything.

What will be your next Project?

My next project is completing the Slobots for the Toy Karma 2 show at Rotofugi, as well as some other items that I have been working on to put in my webshop. Upcoming Art Shows: Robolucha show in Turkey, Germany, UK (flyer attached), Dog Days End of Summer Show in West Virginia USA (flyer attached), and Toy Karma 2 at Rotofugi in Chicago, USA (http://www.maxtoyco.com/toy_karma/)