History
The robot is simply the illusion of being a
robot. Movements of the robot are normally started and finished with a
dimestop (a very abrupt stop), to give the impression of motors starting and
stopping, but poppers have also been known to do the robot with a pop to the beat. As long as
the illusion of being a robot is maintained, it is considered the robot. The
dance was created in 1967.
Robot dancing is often considered a subsection of popping because poppers often include the robot in their routines, sometimes adding pops to the beat while maintaining the illusion of a robot, but the robot also exists as its own dance and is sometimes considered a performance rather than a dance when the performer is imitating a robot without any music. When done without music it is considered to be mime, instead of dance. Street theater often featured mimes who did a mechanical man or puppet style illusion, without music. In the late 1960s, the style was used while social dancing to funk or soul music. Charles "Robot" Washington was not the first to strictly imitate a robot as a mime, however he and his partner "Robot Ann" were the first to socially couple dance the style to music at parties and clubs, and it was at this point it became a party dance and later combined with other illusion styles to form today's popping style. It is commonly known as "Robotics". Roboting has also been likened to the jazz-era folk dance of puppeting (a style also appreciated in some colors of experimental ballet), whereby the dancer would emulate the mechanical movements of a simple musical box doll.this is not to be confused with Robotics. This is not to be confused with robotics dance.
Variations
Arrested robot
A variation on the robot is the "arrested robot" style, where the movement of various parts of the dancer's body are arrested and shaken rapidly, giving the impression that the robot is breaking down. A lock-and-release of joints can also give the appearance of supports breaking down. The dancer may also freeze with an arm straight to the side with lower arm swaying.
The Mannequin
This movement is simply mimicking the mannerisms of window store mannequins like the ones seen during Christmas time in major department store windows. It involves affecting a blank stare and slow motion movements of all the joints.
Music
As with popping in general, the visual impact of the robot can be boosted by doing it in pace with music. The best effect is achieved with music that has very distinct beats such as electrofunk. It is nonetheless common to use music not particularly suited for the dance, but which has a "robot theme", such as The Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" Robot done by Michael Jackson and Styx's "Mr. Roboto".
Unlike most other dances, the robot may also be accompanied a cappella by making vocal impressions of beeps and other electro-mechanical sounds.
Robot dancing is often considered a subsection of popping because poppers often include the robot in their routines, sometimes adding pops to the beat while maintaining the illusion of a robot, but the robot also exists as its own dance and is sometimes considered a performance rather than a dance when the performer is imitating a robot without any music. When done without music it is considered to be mime, instead of dance. Street theater often featured mimes who did a mechanical man or puppet style illusion, without music. In the late 1960s, the style was used while social dancing to funk or soul music. Charles "Robot" Washington was not the first to strictly imitate a robot as a mime, however he and his partner "Robot Ann" were the first to socially couple dance the style to music at parties and clubs, and it was at this point it became a party dance and later combined with other illusion styles to form today's popping style. It is commonly known as "Robotics". Roboting has also been likened to the jazz-era folk dance of puppeting (a style also appreciated in some colors of experimental ballet), whereby the dancer would emulate the mechanical movements of a simple musical box doll.this is not to be confused with Robotics. This is not to be confused with robotics dance.
Variations
Arrested robot
A variation on the robot is the "arrested robot" style, where the movement of various parts of the dancer's body are arrested and shaken rapidly, giving the impression that the robot is breaking down. A lock-and-release of joints can also give the appearance of supports breaking down. The dancer may also freeze with an arm straight to the side with lower arm swaying.
The Mannequin
This movement is simply mimicking the mannerisms of window store mannequins like the ones seen during Christmas time in major department store windows. It involves affecting a blank stare and slow motion movements of all the joints.
Music
As with popping in general, the visual impact of the robot can be boosted by doing it in pace with music. The best effect is achieved with music that has very distinct beats such as electrofunk. It is nonetheless common to use music not particularly suited for the dance, but which has a "robot theme", such as The Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" Robot done by Michael Jackson and Styx's "Mr. Roboto".
Unlike most other dances, the robot may also be accompanied a cappella by making vocal impressions of beeps and other electro-mechanical sounds.