Robot Alley
Description
The interactive installation Robot Alley is located in an alley off Skidmore Street, between Borthwick and Kerby Avenues, in the north Portland part of the Boise neighborhood. It depicts Stormtroopers, droids, Sith lords, and other Star Wars characters. The project started as a DIY security system and has become an attraction. The installation has cameras, facial recognition technology, a fog machine, LED lights, microphones, motion sensors, and a plywood AT-ST Walker by local artist Mike Bennett. Robot Alley's creator Robert Fortney, who is also a film editor, sometimes appears as "alter ego" character Plastorm, wearing armor and a helmet inspired by The Mandalorian.
Reception
Robot Alley was included in the Los Angeles Times's 2023 list of twelve family-friendly activities in the Portland metropolitan area. Neighbors to the alley have reacted positively, stating that it has cut-down on crime (as originally intended), and increased the sense of community.
See also
- Cultural impact of Star Wars
- Keep Portland Weird
- List of artists and art institutions in Portland, Oregon
References
- ^ "Walk This Way toward Your Own Personal Portland Scavenger Hunt". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Eastman, Janet (2020-09-03). "Portland Weird Homes Tour to take place live over Zoom". The Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "12 kid-friendly things to do around Portland, like meet robots and zip-line from trees". Los Angeles Times. 2023-08-16. Archived from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ Kryza, AP (2017-07-11). "There's An Alley in North Portland Where Robots Will Call Out To You". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ "Portland man fights neighborhood crime with art, droids and stormtroopers". king5.com. 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "Top 5 Unexpected Places to Find Art". PDX Parent. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Swindler, Samantha (2023-02-18). "At Portland's Robot Alley, droids and Stormtroopers speak to passersby". The Oregonian. Advance Local. Archived from the original on 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
