The Dandy's Suitcase - machine that automatically makes a gin & tonic for you

Here's the latest mechanical creation from Benjamin Cowden. Titled The Dandy's Suitcase, the machine will mix you the perfect gin & tonic after a little bit of setup.

From the YouTube description:

This cocktail machine was a commission project to produce a device that travels in a suitcase and pours a Gin & Tonic. It features a single crank that drives a worm gear. On the axle with the worm gear are two yoked cranks that activate the gin bottle, then the tonic bottle. The yokes have dwells that allow the bottle to return to their start positions and stay until the next round. Finally, a Scotch Yoke on the axle pulls a lever that pushes a garnish of sliced cucumber into the waiting cup. All elements of this machine that contact the ingredients are food grade stainless and silicone.

See more mechanical creations by Benjamin Cowden on his web site.

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InterPlay: Mechanical Objects exhibtion at the Southwest School of Art

InterPlay: Mechanical Objects will be an exhibit at the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio, Texas. Shown here is a piece by Benjamin Cowden titled Perennial Flux.

From the show description:

All works contain an interactive component empowering the viewer to move the object from the realm of pure aesthetic to experience.

With contributions from artists based in the United States and United Kingdom, it's an all-star line up including Alexis Archibald, Steve Brudniak, Ben Cowden, Kevin Curry, Nathan Dube, Forrest Gard, Keith Newstead, Laikingland, Miel Parades, Gary Schott, and Martin Smith. If you have a chance to see it, do not miss this show!

Exhibition Details:
InterPlay: Mechanical Objects
Sep 6, 2012 - Nov 25, 2012
9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Russell Hill Rogers Galleries, Navarro Campus
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 6 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Free and open to the public

For more information visit the Southwest School of Art's Upcoming Exhibitions page.

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Machine-inspired sculpture and painting show

Shown here is a a new piece by Nemo Gould titled Baby Squid. This and other machine-inspired art and kinetic sculpture will be part of a group show in Oakland, California starting on Friday November 4th, from 5-9PM. The featured artists include:

   • Nemo Gould
   • Eric Joyner
   • Mark Galt
   • Jeremy Mayer
   • Benjamin Cowden

That's a very good line up, trust me. Here's an image with the more details:

Time: Friday, November 4 from 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
The Lost & Foundry
305 Center St.
Oakland, CA

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Make your own metal geared candle holder

When artist Benjamin Cowden first began making kinetic sculpture, coming up with gears that fit together was one of his major dilemmas. In response to this challenge, he developed an easy and relatively fast technique for making gears out of metal plate.

He uses this gear-making technique in the design of this elegant aluminum candleholder. The movement contains three of his handmade gears. The pinion on the left raises and lowers the two candle holding arms. Because he used gears of different size for the two arms, the candles move at different rates.

Here is some video of the machine in use:

This project first appeared within the pages of MAKE magazine Volume 21. Complete instructions and plans are now available for free online!

Here's the article on how to build your own metal geared candle holder

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Gathering - kinetic sculpture by Benjamin Cowden

Check out this latest kinetic sculpture from the Benjamin Cowden -- the same artist who created It's the things you can't change that shape you,
No Reward for Good Behavior, and A Series of Passionate but Arbitrary Decisions.

This latest piece is entitled Gathering. It incorporates a double-offset rotary piston, topped with seven brass dishes, which are moved with a four-bar linkage via pinwheel drive train. There is a flywheel in there to smooth out the hand-cranked power supply. Benjamin Cowden has a wonderful way with metal and mechanics, to be sure!

Learn more about the kinetic art of Benjamin Cowden on his web site.

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It's the things you can't change that shape you

Check out this kinetic sculpture by Benjamin Cowden. The piece features a planetary gear around which a small wooden figure revolves and rotates.

See more work by kinetic sculptor Benjamin Cowden on his web site.

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Exhibit: Nemo Gould, Jeremy Mayer, Benjamin Cowden

MACHINATIONS is an exhibit currently featuring the works of Nemo Gould, Jeremy Mayer, and Benjamin Cowden.

From the exhibit description:

The exhibition showcases the distinctive elements of re-use transformational sculpture while exploring human interaction and objectification. Keeping in line with the gallery's focus on local and emerging talent, all three artists boast Bay Area roots, but display marked differences in their interpretation of the kinetic medium.

The exhibition's title "Machinations", is a reference to the shifting and subjective definition of what constitutes art. A variety of kinetic based art will be on display—ranging from whimsical creatures and life size sculptures crafted from twisted metal bits to interactive machines.

The exhibit runs from July 14 - August 21, 2010. The artists reception will Thursday, July from 6-9pm.

Here's where you can learn more about the Machinations exhibit.

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Slide Whistle Blower - eerie sound machine

Check out this unique and creative slide-whistle blowing machine.

From the YouTube description:

The movement and the air for the whistles comes from an old hand-cranked forge blower; the different gear ratios of the axles makes the pattern pseudo-random-ish. I have not calculated how long it will take for the pattern to repeat.

You'll be able to check this out that the upcoming (and very excellent) Maker Faire.

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Kinetic sculpture showcase at Maker Faire 2009

Maker Faire 2009 is coming up this weekend May 30th and 31st at the San Mateo fairgrounds in San Mateo CA. If you are anywhere near the area be sure and check it out.

Kinetic artists CTP and Nemo Gould have organized an exhibit featuring kinetic sculptures by various artists. This will be their largest selection of artists and their largest amount of space at Maker Faire to date.

Sculptures in the exhibit will include work by:

Greg Brotherton

Benjamin Cowden

Jonathan Foote

Mark Galt

Nemo Gould

Reuben Margolin

Christopher T Palmer

Carl Pisaturo

Alan Rorie

Kal Spelletich

Here is where you can learn more about the upcoming Maker Faire 2009.

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IT MOVED kinetic art exhibition at Device Gallery

The Device Gallery's upcoming showed, IT MOVED, is an exploration of the kinetic art form. The show will feature the work of Greg Brotherton, Benjamin Cowden, Tom Haney, Nemo Gould and Reuben Margolin.

Time:
The Opening Reception will be Saturday, April 25th, 2009 from 6:30 - 9:30PM. The show itself will run from April 25 - June 20, 2009.

Location:
Device Gallery
1815 B Main Street
San Diego CA 92113

Visit the Device Gallery web site for more information on this show.

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Applied Kinetic Arts group show in San Francisco

Applied Kinetic Arts is a name used by a group of talented artists who share similar approaches to making art. The group includes the following artists:

* Nemo Gould
* Reuben Margolin
* Christopher Palmer
* Mark Galt
* Benjamin Cowden

They will have a combined show at the Y2Y gallery in San Francisco. Each artist will be contributing a few pieces. The Y2Y Gallery is located at 251 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA, USA. The show will run from November 21, 2008 through January 23, 2009. The opening reception will be on Friday November 21, 2008 6-9PM.

Here are the details of the show.

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No Reward for Good Behavior - Metal Automaton

Here is a charming all-metal automaton that features five little figures jumping up and down as they orbit around the center point. The mechanism is just beautiful.

Entitled No Reward for Good Behavior, the piece is by Benjamin Cowden. Here is a link to an article about the artist.

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