INITIALIZING SYSTEMS
Kolja Kugler is a native Berlin artist. In the early nineties, Kolja collaborated with the Mutoid Waste Company. They lived, worked, and exhibited on Potsdamer Platz, a former Cold War frontline in Berlin, mutating former war machinery into peaceful objects of art. One of the most recognized works of this time is the “Lost Tribe of MiG” project—an immense installation in the city center featuring a MiG-21 fighter plane flying out of a four-story building.
Over time, Kolja discovered how to use air pressure to animate his sculptures. Following years of traveling in Europe with the underground tekno art movement groups Alien Pulse Agency and Spiral Tribe, Kolja set off on his own independent travels around the world (2001–2006). Throughout these travels, he exhibited his largest robotic sculpture, “Sir Elton Junk”, in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.
Back in Europe since 2006, Kolja continues to create moving sculptures. Currently, he is the director of a band of pneumatically driven robot sculptures that express a general joy for life by playing music on real instruments. Meet the: "One Love Machine Band".
Human-sized robot sculptures powered by air pressure, playing real instruments — no synths, no samples, just pneumatic soul.
Pneumatic arms drive relentless acoustic drum rhythms. The physical heartbeat of the One Love Machine Band.
The iconic scrap-metal manager and master of ceremonies, directing the pneumatic orchestra and coordinating show tours.
A complex robotic setup running electronic air valves to fret and pluck a real electric bass guitar, delivering the deep industrial pulse.
A choir of robot birds playing organic flute melodies, controlled by rapid air-solenoid valves to create whistling melodies.
A rhythmic, mechanical groove with roots in reggae, post-punk, and dub — driven by sequenced track creation that controls pneumatic valves. Every sound is physical.
Sculptures, installations, and the art of turning waste into wonder.
Experience the kinetic art, pneumatic sculptures, and mechanical performances of Kolja Kugler.
Documentary feature on Kolja Kugler's artwork, exploring how scrap metal is resurrected into mechanical performance art.
An intimate short portrait profiling Kugler's daily building process and philosophy inside the Wild Waste Gallery.
Direct archive feed of a full robotic band sync test inside the Berlin Wild Waste Gallery.
Extreme close-up of pneumatic cylinders, joints, and linkages firing under pressure.
For festivals, exhibitions, and events — bring the machines to your stage.
Wild Waste Gallery
Berlin, Germany
For performance booking and exhibition inquiries, use the form or reach out directly.