Lemurplex Open On Third Avenue: No Actual Lemurs, but Cool Music Robots!!!

Among the many, many spots that Gowanus Lounge dropped by over the weekend was the opening of the Leumurplex on Third Avenue between Ninth and Tenth Streets, just north of the F Train overpass. The new 3,000 square foot performance space, gallery and learning center (a "robotic art complex," if you will) is the new home of the League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots. (If you are looking for furry lemurs, try the Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo.)

Lemur, which was founded by local artists and tech types in 2000, produces robotic musical instruments and has done installations around the U.S. and internationally. The Lemurplex opening featured a number of its creations including a Guitar Bot and an intricate ceiling drum installation (a detail of which is in the photo above) that starts banging and whacking as you walk through and dance and/or jump around the installation space.

Director Eric Singer plans many, many events in the space and told GL he wants to help organize the arts community in the neighborhood. (The nabe is one of those places whose exact identity is in the eye of the beholder. Is it the South Slope? Is it very southeastern Gowanus? Is it something entirely new, like DUFO--District Under the F Overpass?) We do know that there are many artists' studios, rehearsal and other spaces in the warehouses and buildings along Ninth Street, west of Third Avenue, and other spaces along Third Avenue. And, we also know that the nabe isn't generally included when, say, Gowanus studio tours are held. So, there is clearly a niche here that can be filled.

If you're interested in reading more, Lemur has been written up in the New York Times, Newsweek and other publications. A slew of classes start at Lemurplex in July, including courses on creating robotic musical instruments. To get your music bot on, check out Lemurplex or email info@lemurbots.org or visit 461 Third Avenue. (Check the website for updates on hours.)