Automata old & new, kinetic sculpture, clockwork, toys, the mechanical arts & sundry contraptions of every description
It's Wednesday. Please take a few moments to enjoy the gentle rise and fall of ducks and the mechanism that makes it happen. Also, the holidays are coming, so please use the Amazon links you find on this blog when you do your shopping. Thanks!
[ Thanks Christoph! ]
Labels: animals, cam, duck, humorous, motorized, programming, reciprocating motion, surreal, wave
posted by Dug North on 11/13/2013
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Here's a great new automaton by Paul Spooner. When the handle is turned the faces of the king changes along with the number designating which king it is. The mechanism is ingenious and delightfully simple, combining a friction drive and a rotary indexing system.
According to Paul Spooner:
In olden times there were serious struggles for the throne of England and being the offspring of royalty was not the guarantee of a life of ease and luxury that it is for today’s genetic lottery winners. To achieve a run of four kings such as this required eternal vigilance and a preparedness to fight dirty. All these monarchs are clearly related to each other as their dental records show. Four kings can only be told apart by the number of teeth they have. On the golden wheel down below is his regnal number (or dental record).
The piece measures 210mm high x 115 mm wide with a depth of 55 mm. This is a 'one off' which means it is the only one available. Here is where you can learn more about and/or buy The Kings of England by Paul Spooner
Labels: cam, England, figures, history, humorous, indexing, king, mechanisms, Paul Spooner, rotary motion, royalty, UK, witty
posted by Dug North on 9/01/2013
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Cabaret Mechanical Theatre is now offering the work of automaton artist Gary Schott. If you are unfamiliar with his work, check out this lovely video profile of Gary Schott that I posted some time ago.
The Wiggly Mustache Portrait is just plain fun. When you turn the crank, the man's mustache wiggles back and forth. The piece is made of wood, brass, plastic, paint, adhered and sealed image. It measures 9 inches x 4.5 inches x 6 inches.
Here is the page for the Wiggly Mustache Portrait by Gary Schott. There are only 5 of these, so get them while you can.
Labels: cam, fashion, fun, Gary Schott, photographs, portrait, silly, vintage
posted by Dug North on 5/20/2013
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