In Japan they go for different things
 

Only in Japan will they go for this sort of giant Giganator statue.

Massive Gigantor statue coming to Japan

July 3, 2007, Erecting an 18-meter [60 ft] high robot statue in Japan may not shock and awe as it would in the USA, but a brightly colored, 70-ton Gigantor is still apt to catch quite a few eyes. Kobe, Japan is set to be the home of the mammoth tribute statue, which will simultaneously commemorate the life of the late Mitsuteru Yokoyama and the revitalization of the surrounding areas since the 1995 Kobe earthquake.



The project will cost an estimated ¥135 million ($1.09 million) and should be completed next Spring, but how it will affect property values (or tourism from fanboys and girls) remains to be seen.

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Well hell yeah somebody finally did it. a 60 foot robot, and Gigantor no-less. It only could be better if it were a hundred feet. The world will be a better place when its done...might even get my butt on a plane to Japan. Thank you, my day is made.

Besides, I love California rolls. They got KFC there, right?

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Hi, To think, some of you complained about Stephan Balkenhol's "Everyman" sculpture in Edinburgh! Ha!
He's looking pretty tame and traditional right now, isn't he?
I'm with Evaldart on this one, a 60 ft. tall robot sculpture, how cool is that?
See boys and girls, there's room for everyone on this big blue marble.
Have a great day,
Jeff

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

At last, a sculpture that would work well at San Francisco's Legion of Honor site!

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

We're morphing into computerland for real, at last! I took up regular reading again about a year ago, after displacement nearby from hurricane Katrina and the endless delays in getting this area back in order. Always been a fan of science fiction, and that's most of what I've bought (along with reduced-price sculpture books, and some science and early cultures.)

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Maquettes for two of my hundred foot robots.

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Oh my gawd, what are you smoking Evaldart?
I think we'll send you and the tinman to the Betty Ford Clinic for an oil change!
Have a great 4th,
Jeff

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Here's some information on this Gigantor.



Gigantor (originally Tetsujin-nijūhachi-gō 鉄人28号, literally "Iron Man #28") was a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama published in 1958 which was later made into several anime series, the first in 1963. It was the first "giant robot" series. A live action motion picture with heavy use of computer generated graphics was produced in Japan in 2005 based on the old comics as opposed to the newer version in "New Gigantor" which was translated into many languages including Arabic.

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Ironman:

From the looks of it, Evaldart wasn't smoking anything. It was too much beer and milk, and he took a nap with his head resting on his Rock 'em Sock 'em robot set, then woke up with a new inspiration!

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Robot it is not, but here is a sculpture from a Japanese source passed on to me by another sculptor.

Don

Re: In Japan they go for different things
 

Yes Glenn,The beer and milk combo can make you a bit drowsy sometimes but these robots were inspired by my son who, for a year or so, was obsessed with them. He has a hundred robots in his room from every toy source possible. Very like I have a hundred hammers (not in my room). Chip off the ol block. I was simply letting him know that his dad could make a better robot that all those mamby pamby toy designers out there.

I loved Gigantor as a child, still remember the music theme. A really good one, too.

Check out the movie Iron Giant...it is a sculptors fantasy. A beatnik sculptor who LIVES IN A JUNKYARD circa 1960, is encumbered, from outer space, by a wayward 100 foot tall robot. There are scenes where it assists him in sculpture making.