Proposal Title: “Bits, Bots & the Loop of Life”

Artist: Stefan — Roundtable Productions

For the 2026 Immerse festival, I propose a dynamic new installation that fuses two of my most beloved artistic explorations: the kinetic storytelling of my stroboscopic zoetropes and the quirky charm of my “Bits and Bots” robot characters. This hybrid exhibit, Bits, Bots & the Loop of Life, will be a multi-sensory experience that invites guests to reflect on the imperfect beauty of creation—both mechanical and human.

Over the past six years, my zoetropes have become a staple of Immerse, evolving in complexity and scale. In 2025, I introduced a new three-dimensional stroboscopic zoetrope, pushing the boundaries of motion sculpture and optical illusion. That same year, I was invited—on short notice—to debut Bits and Bots, a standalone installation of eight hand-painted, retro-futuristic robot standees. These characters, rendered in 2.5D, celebrate the delightful flaws and emotional echoes embedded in our development of artificial intelligence, shaped by our own humanity.

In 2026, I aim to merge these two worlds. The installation will feature multiple zoetropes—some reimagined from past years, others newly constructed—animated with scenes of nature and mechanics starring the Bits and Bots characters. These robots will appear as full-scale standees throughout the space, creating a layered environment where motion, stillness, and personality collide. Visitors will encounter looping narratives of robotic life: moments of joy, confusion, malfunction, and wonder—all rendered in flickering motion and tactile form.

This exhibit will require funding to support:

• Refurbishment and integration of existing zoetropes

• Construction of new motion sculptures featuring Bits and Bots animations

• Fabrication of additional robot standees and scenic elements

• Lighting, sound, and interactive components to enhance immersion

Bits, Bots & the Loop of Life is more than a visual spectacle—it’s a meditation on the cycles of creation, the echoes of human imperfection, and the stories we embed in the machines we build. It’s playful, poignant, and unmistakably alive.