I have been researching robots...classic toys to modern machines.  Tatsuya Matsui has some amazing work.


http://blog.kristenoreilly.com/2010/03/you-say-telephone/
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Tatsuya Matui Posy
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Tatsuya Matsui
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Tatsuya Matsui: The P-Noir interactive Dance Robot
 
I recently saw this artist's work in the Tokyo Life book.  The art is quirky and at the same time questioning.  I loved the soap opera photos, they will make you laugh and also be stunned with the small details in the photo that make it successful.  Here is the artist's website:http://fotologue.jp/tomoakimakino/

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Tomoaki Makino