At Highlight Festival 2026, you witnessed the inspiring work of visionary artists and makers who pushed the boundaries of art and technology. With the theme Robo-futures, the festival explored the evolving relationship between humans and machines, thought-provoking, surprising, and forward-looking.
This experience continues with the Behind the Makers series, which started during the festival. In the coming period, we will take you further behind the scenes and introduce you to more of these creators, beginning with Noor & Amir — and there’s more to come.
BEHIND THE MAKER: BRAM ELLENS - MAD KING
What happens when a machine starts to feel like a creature?
In The Mad King, part of Robots in Captivity, a 1.3-ton robotic arm roars to life. Chained to the floor, it moves like a trapped animal — powerful, restless, and unsettling.
With this installation, Bram Ellens blurs the line between machine and creature. As the robot thrashes and resists, it begins to mirror something deeply human.
The Mad King invites you to step closer — and to ask yourself: when does a machine become alive?
The Mad King and 30+ other art & tech installations were part of Highlight Festival 2026.
