On the Ticket: It was the "defecating duck" that caught the imagination of many young people at the opening of Save the Robots in Temple Bar this week.
Vaucauson's copper duck, first built in 1738 and reconstructed recently by David Secrett, was a big hit with Abdulladh Watandar, a computer student from Afghanistan, and his friend, Nora Casey.
"There were more than 1,000 parts in the original duck," said exhibition curator Michael John Gorman.
The early 19th-century Japanese archer was another favourite, as children watched the little figure fire tiny arrows into the distance on the first floor of the Ark cultural centre.
"It's cool," said Seán Ronayne (aged nine) and his friend, Alex Chapman (also nine), from Fairview, agreed.
Maedhbh McCullagh, programme manager of Dublin Fringe Festival, also loved the craftsmanship of the archer, which was made from wood.
Across the road in Filmbase, artist Laurent Mellet stood close to his creation, Eva, an eight-foot "female" robot made of stainless steel, who reacted if anyone came close to her in-built movement sensors.
"I was inspired by Maria in Fritz Lang's 1927 film, Metropolis," said Mellet. "I love that film."
Robots were first seen in the 16th century, when people began to challenge the concept of God by exploring science and asking questions about movement, Mellet explained.
His friend, artist Paddy Jolley, who was also at Filmbase, will begin work later this year as writer and director on a feature film which will, he said, be "a psychotropic tale of drugs, death and disillusion".
Willie White, of Project, dropped in to enjoy the exhibition before dashing off to the UGC to enjoy the premiere of Shimmy Marcus's film, Headrush.
"I'd like you to join me in welcoming the robots to Dublin," said Gorman. "We're not sure if they are friendly and we're not sure where they have come from, but they are now among us."