Dr. strangebot The Mastermind Behind the Robots Written by: Heather Scurti Photographed by: Reagan Lee Designed by: Joseph Smallwood
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s you step inside his workshop, your eyes are overwhelmed as hundreds of objects perched upon the shelves appear. Items such as corded telephones, antique cameras, vintage electrical heaters and old seasoning tins sit ready to be assembled. The smell of wood and years of history permeates the air. He sits on a stool, his hands dirtied from the metals, his arms filled with tattoos of robots he’s built — he is Dr. Strangebot. At 66 years old, Dr. Strangebot, also known as Jim Behrman, is the ideal image of a big kid at heart. Behrman has always loved robots — he began collecting them as a child and acquired around 30 to 40 throughout his life. The former mechanic and welder began building robots out of recycled parts nearly a decade ago. “Ten years ago, I was online and I saw a guy had made a robot out of his car,” Behrman says. “He wrecked his car, which was a BMW, then he built a robot out of the (undercarriage) and engine parts, and I thought that was the coolest thing. So, I went
50 | Pursuit
outside in my work area and decided I was going to build a robot.” His first try wasn’t quite a success. A month later, the feet broke off because he hadn’t welded the pieces together. Nevertheless, this minor setback did not deter him from persisting. Behrman continued to work at the craft. “When you (make) artwork, your (work) evolves just like with anything else, even your job. You evolve and do better and better and better, as you go along,” Behrman says. “Well, that’s what happened. I started making lots of (robots) and the guest room was getting full of (them). My wife said, ‘Now, you (have) to find an avenue for the robots. You’ve got to do something with them.’” Upon his wife’s request, Behrman went to the Lunar Festival in Riverside where he spoke with a few local art galleries. He was quickly connected with Mark Schooley, executive director of Riverside Community Arts Association (RCAA). Schooley took interest in the robots and created a showcase of Dr. Strangebot’s
