Check out this amazing photo tour of the studio of automaton-maker Thomas Kuntz. In the photos, we see his fantastic sculptures, extensive collection of horological machine tools, and various macabre collections.
From the article summary:
Each
Automata is made in editions of 3 or 4 at most. They breathe,drink,
smoke and move- all through clockwork that Thomas creates himself. Every
piece from start to finish comes from his wonderfully dark and twisty
mind.
What a treat! Here we have artist Aaron Kramer interviewing the inimitable Paul Spooner. I have always loved Paul Spooner's automata. He is one of the main reasons I ever became interested in the subject. I know he has inspired hundreds of others and delighted countless people with his mechanical wit.
Here is an invite from the Morris Museum to see some of their automata for Obscura Day on May 30th, 2015:
In celebration of Obscura Day 2015, the Guinness Collection Curator and Conservator invite you to the Morris Museum for an interesting and unique demonstration program of clown automata! Come and delight in the fantastical doings of the incredible clowns, jesters and harlequins from the Guinness Collection. Then join us for a private tour behind the locked doors of the Guinness Viewable storage area, where over 500 more mechanical musical instruments and automata live!
The ticket price includes admission to the museum and the opportunity to join the public daily demonstration of the Guinness Collection at 2pm.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, May 30; 12:30-2:00pm
Price: $25
Location: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Web site: www.morrismuseum.org
Tickets: available from Eventbrite
Here's a fun little tour of a paper automaton shop in Bremin, Germany. Many of the kits were made by the father of the young man giving the demonstrations.
The Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey has announced a special "Behind Locked Doors" event. The event will feature a special staff-guided tour and demonstration of instruments and automata from the famous Guinness Collection. Visitors will see mechanical marvels that are not normally heard or exhibited in the galleries. This behind the scenes tour includes a visit to the museum's incredible Viewable Storage facility where a large portion of the collection is stored.
What:
Guinness Spotlight: Behind Locked Doors
Where:
Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
publicrelations@morrismuseum.org http://www.morrismuseum.org When:
Thursday, November 20, 3:00-4:30pm
Thursday, November 20, 6:30-8:00pm
How:
Tickets: Members - $7 / Non-Members - $9
Attendance will be limited. Call 973.971.3706 to reserve a seat.
Some time ago, I did a short post about the Musical Wonder House in Wiscasset, Maine. Though the video shown here is a little dated, the House is open and alive with the sound of mechanical music.
This museum has a collection of over 500 machines representing nearly every form of mechanical music. Among the collection are a number of player pianos, assorted disc music boxes, cylinder music boxes, musical clocks, musical toys, and automata.
A guide is on hand to provided a personal tour, which includes playing many of the instruments and explaining their history and unique qualities.
If you will be in New England this summer, a visit to the Musical
Wonder House is a must. It is an amazing collection of machines, each one expertly restored, and beautiful to hear.
If you want to do some research ahead of time to enhance your experience, Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments
by Q. David Bowers is the definitive reference on this subject. The book has over 1,000 pages with hundreds of black-and-white photographs, advertisements, and reproduction company brochures. All you will need to complete the experience is to hear the machines in person at the museum!
Address for the Musical Mystery House:
Musical Wonder House
16-18 High Street
Wiscasset, ME 04578
Hours:
Memorial Day Weekend through Halloween
Monday through Saturday, from 10AM - 5PM and Sunday Noon - 5 PM
Web site: http://www.musicalwonderhouse.com/
