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UMKC Book Robot Inspires Art

The book robot, the automatic retrieval system for much of the collection of the Miller Nichols Library on the campus of UMKC, has inspired a flurry of artistic activity, from robot dances to art installations.

By Laura Spencer

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-946994.mp3

Kansas City, Mo. – The book robot, the automatic retrieval system for much of the collection of the Miller Nichols Library on the campus of UMKC, has inspired a flurry of activity: a sound art installation on the 3rd floor of the library resembling a tall hut called "Reliquary", and nearly 600 people doing the robot dance in a soccer field in an attempt for a Guinness World record.

This month, there's a new installation of collaged images called "Robots in the Social Landscape" stretching along a wall on the 2nd floor of the library.

"Robots in the Social Landscape," an art installation by Margaret Brommelsiek
January 19 through May 6, 2011
Opening reception, Wednesday, January 26, 4-6 pm
Dean's Gallery, 2nd floor, UMKC Miller Nichols Library
800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.

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Laura Spencer is staff writer/editor at the Kansas City Public Library and a former arts reporter at KCUR.
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