Open Studio: Come and Meet the Robots

12–13 & 19-20 September 2026 · 11am–5pm
Whirled Artists Studios, Bell Green, London
Part of the Sydenham Artists Trail 2026

In September I’ll be opening the doors of my studio for the Sydenham Artists Trail , and this year there should be rather a lot going on.

The studio is where I design, build, program and occasionally swear at the various things that make up Overscan. It’s part workshop, part electronics lab, part 3D-printing factory and part playground.

For the Open Studio, both Disco Robots will be up and running, along with the modular Pixel boxes and the software and control systems I use to bring everything together.

Disco Robots

The robots are approximately six feet tall and combine robotics, lighting, video, electronics and a lot of custom software. Their heads, arms, eyes and other parts can move, while their LED displays and lighting are controlled as part of the same live system.

They started life as an idea for a pair of ridiculous dancing robots for clubs and festivals, and have gradually evolved into something considerably more complicated.

There will be opportunities to see them moving, flashing and generally showing off throughout the weekend.

Pixels

I’ll also have the modular Pixel boxes up and running as a complete system.

These are a set of individual LED panels that can be arranged in different configurations, either free-standing or pole-mounted. Each box can operate independently, but they can also become part of a much larger mapped lighting and visual installation.

They’re another example of the way I tend to work: start with one reasonably simple idea, then keep following it until it has developed an entire ecosystem of brackets, spacers, electronics, software and possibilities.

Robot Arcade — very much a work in progress

I’ll also be showing an early demo of something new: Robot Arcade.

The idea is to turn the robots into part of an interactive game system, combining simple retro arcade games with physical controls, lighting, movement and animation.

For example, a game of Pong doesn’t necessarily have to stay on a screen. The robots can react to what is happening in the game, their eyes can follow the ball, and the lighting and physical movement can become part of the experience.

This is very definitely a work in progress, which is precisely why I want to have it running at the Open Studio. You’ll be able to see some of the ideas while they’re still being worked out rather than only encountering the polished finished thing.

Come and have a look

This is an open studio rather than a formal exhibition, so expect a working space full of robots, wires, 3D-printed parts, tools, electronics, half-finished experiments and things I’m currently trying to make behave.

If you’re interested in robotics, digital art, live visuals, LEDs, fabrication, interactive installations, old rave technology, new technology, or simply want to see what happens when someone follows an idea considerably further than is strictly sensible, please come in and say hello.

There’s no need to book. Just drop in during the weekend, have a look around and ask me about whatever catches your attention.

Saturday 12 September 2026
Sunday 13 September 2026
Saturday 19 September 2026
Sunday 20 September 2026
11am–5pm

Whirled Art Studios
501–505 Southend Lane
London SE26 5BL
Open in Google Maps

Find out more and explore the rest of the Sydenham Artists Trail 2026 .