Every year, the RoboGames come to San Francisco in a fiery burst of warring robots who duel to the death in a series of cage matches. But RoboGames is about more than killing. It's also about robotic and kinetic art, as well as robots who can pass tests of skill by playing games or even dancing.

And this year RoboGames is celebrating the artistic side of robots by having an art exposition devoted to robotic and kinetic art. The curators of the expo come from the amazing team who brought you the SWARM robots (pictured above). Marnia Johnson from SWARM passes along this call for art:

ROBOGAMES 2009 5th Art Exhibition

Call for Entries:

The exhibition will take place during the ROBOGAMES event from June 12th –14th at Fort Mason in San Francisco, CA. Opening night is Friday June 12th

The ROBOGAMES Art Exhibition will show case the artistic qualities that are possible in robotic and kinetic art. Some examples of what we are looking for are: static sculpture, kinetic sculpture, bar-tending robots, musical robots, robots that paint, works of industrial art and any works that incorporate or look like they incorporate mechanical or technological attributes.

Radio controlled works and pyro-kinetic works are also encouraged to apply. Pyro-kinetic works will be for display only but may perform opening night. Please include power requirements, wireless, or RC frequency, performance space and a tentative performance schedule (for kinetic works. For example: 10'x10' space with one hour performances twice a day).

The artist will be responsible for the transportation of their artwork to and from the exhibition. Artists will also be responsible for any and all supplies and travel expenses. ROBOGAMES can provide help with transportation costs depending on need. The ROBOGAMES Art Exhibition open call will run until May 8th 2009.

Best of Luck!

Find out more about RoboGames here, and register to participate in the Art Expo here (register with the group "art bots").

I was there when that happened. It was AWESOME.

Seriously, don't miss the RoboGames.

Here's a closeup shot of combat between a spinner and a wedge-style robot. Looks like the spinner might be about to flip that wedge right over. Robogames are perfectly safe, and fun for the whole family. Really! I had a 200-pounder on fire smash right next to my head against the thick, plastic barrier and it was scary but totally non-dangerous. There are also artbots and other kinds of robot projects on display at Robogames. Here's Zou Renti last year with his android clone. The photographer titled this picture, "You're creeping me out, dude." Seriously. Image of firey fight up top by Sam Coniglio, via Robogames. Close combat image by Scott Beale, via Robogames. Image of android by Brunkfordbraun.

Sign up now to enter your killer bot in Robogames.