New work will be posted on K2tR Instagram (@keystotherobot) - https://www.instagram.com/keystotherobot

Currently, ETSY is the only place to purchase your K2tR. It is under the Alegrobot account. - https://www.etsy.com/shop/alegrobot

What is Keys to the Robot?

Remember asking mom or dad to borrow the keys to the car in 1994? That was the beginning to your freedom and independence. Not everyone had a car. Maybe your friend had one; maybe you asked for some change for the bus. Maybe you hopped on your bike. Regardless of how you got out of the house it was your first taste of freedom. There was no social media. There was no Google Maps. You did not own a cell phone, but you had a pager and some dimes in your pocket to return some calls from a crusty ass payphone. You met up with friends at the mall, went to keg parties in the woods, and skated in parking lots. You chilled in your friend’s parents basement listening to demo tapes you got at a show last weekend, played SNES or SEGA and drank Crystal Pepsi. You just had to be home in time for dinner. What a badass time to be alive.

Now in 2024, thirty years later, we ditched the pagers and replaced them with mini computers that fit in our pocket. They connect us with information and people instantly. A different kind of freedom and a different way of expressing our identity, but just as cool. Almost anything we can imagine at our fingertips. No more printing out eight page directions on Mapquest, no more having to go to a bar to try to find a date, no more having to burn a cd for the car ride. Endless memes to send to friends, cars that park themselves and online gaming that lets you play with people across the world in real time. Another badass time to be alive.

The purpose of the K2tR project is to bring people together with conversation about the acknowledging the past, living in the present and being excited for the future. It is ok to say, “I remember when…” but don’t resist change and growth. And it is ok to say, “Well, it is not like that anymore…” but don’t underestimate what the past has done to create today. We are all connected on this crazy timeline. No matter what year you were born, we are all humans and we are all connected in one way or another. This project should connect people without the bullshit. Just the simple human (or robot) stuff. Embrace it.

Maybe in 2054 kids will be asking mom and dad to borrow Keys to the Robot - instead of keys to the car - in those first years of freedom that we hold so dear.

Who is Keys to the Robot?

K2tR is a project created by alegrobot during recovery after a major surgery. Realizing how lucky it was to find cancer and get it removed at such an early stage, this project was born. Recovery was spent reflecting on the period in life that birthed independence, integrity and strength, while also looking forward to the bright future ahead. K2tR is about combining the best of keeping it old school and being in the now and taking it out for a Saturday night drive. Chill vibes and no bullshit.

This project is starting with hand-pulled screenprinted shirts and prints. It’s just alegrobot, with a few screens, some ink, and a garden hose. All done in-house (literally) and not just a jpeg uploaded to a company that pumps out shirts. There should be a connection with the person that buys it. The wearer should know that that the artist actually made what they are wearing and that every penny they spent on it went to the artist, not a 3rd party company. The exception will be stickers - but don’t worry - linocut slaps are in the works.

“I burned the screen. I pulled the ink. I packaged it. It is like looking at an original painting and knowing the artist hand made every decision and stroke to create the final piece. Including those happy little mistakes. Sure, you can buy a shirt that thousands of other people have, or you can rock one that was part of a limited run. My work is not for everyone and I am totally cool with that. I am not a sheep. I don’t follow the flock.”