Tinguely's Dream, Electro-mechanical Automaton

The Automata / Automaton Blog is pleased to present you with a special sneak preview of Tom Haney's new work. The piece is named Tinguely's Dream after one of his favorite kinetic artist, Jean Tinguely.

The automaton features a figure riding a strange and wonderful bike. As seen in the video above, an electric motor powers 3 non-concentric wheels and gives the bike and its rider a gentle rocking motion. Watch someone riding a bike and you'll appreciate this beautiful subtlety.

Tom Haney is working on similar pieces for an upcoming gallery show at Mason Murer Fine Art in Atlanta. The show opens September 26th, 2008 and runs through November 7th, 2008. He plans to have 10 to 12 electro-mechanical pieces. Most of the pieces will incorporate antique and/or found objects as well as electric lights.

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Automaton Maker Frank Nelson's New Website

Legendary automaton artist Frank Nelson has a brand new web site featuring photos and video of his automata, drawings, and paintings.

Shown here is The Tamer (Lion), 1975. Mixed media. Hand operated: Size: 51 x 28 x 18cm. Performance time up to one minute.

This is one of several of his works featured in the book: Automata and Mechanical Toys.

Frank Nelson on The Tamer:
"The Tamer is the best idea I have ever had - originally designed back in 1975 - two decorative figures interacting with each other. The Tamer cracks his whip twice and gets a refusal each time from the animal who shakes his head from side to side while his tail rotates. On the third crack of the whip however, the animal accepts the command and nods his head and does his trick - putting his head into the Tamer's mouth."

Here is the link to Frank Nelson's Automata web Site.

[Thanks Sergio!]

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Automaton of Man Slowly Flapping Artificial Wings

Here is one of several new pieces by automaton maker Tom Haney. This electric automaton, entitled Alar, features a man slowly flapping the wings strapped to his arms.

You can learn more about the piece and see a video of Alar on Tom Haney's web site.

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Kinetic Sculptor Nemo Gould's Giant Robot Artwork

As part of an upcoming show called "Robots: Evolution of a Cultural Icon" at the San Jose Museum of Art, Nemo Gould (Nemomatic) has created this amazing new piece called Little Big Man. Standing at 8 feet tall, the robot swings its arms and moves its mouth. Closer inspection reveals a tiny robot inside the abdomen of the larger one. The artist uses found objects and this time has blended wood with metal to create a truly unique work of moving art.

Here is a nice video that shows the robot(s) in action.

Visit the Nemomatic web site to learn more about Little Big Man and see videos of the artist speaking about the piece and his particular style of creating kinetic art.

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Anatomy of a Wood Automaton by Philip Lowndes

I posted about automaton maker Philip Lowndes a while back. The MAKE magazine blog has alerted us to the fact that the artist has made great progress with his work entitled, Quiet contemplation of a sandwich.

The artist has also generously created a page on the parts and pieces that go into a complex contemporary automaton. This is great information with really good photos!

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Automaton of Lion Tamer by Maker Frank Nelson

Take a look at this beautiful Frank Nelson prototype that just sold on eBay. This piece is featured in Automata and Mechanical Toys

From the eBay Listing:
A hand-operated circus Lion-Tamer automata by Frank Nelson. Born in 1930 in Blackpool, Frank Nelson has been a well-regarded automata-maker for over 35 years and retired in 2000. This automata is a prototype from his private collection. Nelson originally first produced Tiger Tamers and Lion Tamers in the 1970's. This was a prototype for a new improved model. "I always felt the need to make these changes but it meant a great deal more work".

The Tamer stands facing the Lion who is sitting on a plinth while behind them is an illustrated backboard of a circus tent. In this version the lion moves independently of the plinth on which he stands. Turn the handle and see the Tamer crack his whip once, only for the Lion to refuse by shaking his head. The refusal is repeated again on the second crack of the whip. Finally The Tamer cracks his whip a third time and then the Lion nods his head twice and does his trick by swiveling around and putting his head into the tamer's mouth.

Frank Nelson's automata tell a story with a twist in the end. "The Tamer is the best idea I have ever had - two decorative figures interacting with each other". Made in mixed media and in excellent condition and full working order. Signed by the maker with his distinctive logo on the back.

Size 36cm high; 27cm wide; 17cm deep.

See more photos of The Lion Tamer and check out the impressive sale price at eBay.

Also learn more about the artist and automata-making from Automata and Mechanical Toys

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Featured Mechanical Artist: Jason Lane

Here is a piece by artist Jason Lane entitled Dragon With Flapping Wings.

He has created a series of mechanical sculptures ranging from hand-propelled works to a large scale human hamster wheel which generates electricity and plays old fairground organ music. Pretty cool.

Check out a portfolio of Jason Lane's work. Discovered via BoingBoing.net

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Automaton by Pablo Lavezzari: Facing a Fake Foe

The latest automaton from Pablo Lavezzari is fantastic. Simply amazing.

The scene depicts an armored knight fighting a mechanical dragon which is controlled by a goblin behind the scenes. Not only is the piece meticulously detailed, but it also has an integrated smoke effect...that's not just for the video clip! The dragon also roars.

Just when you think this automaton could not possibly get any better, there is more. A monster hidden in a tree is exposed by turning a rock that makes up part of the scenery. Finally, the small crossbow prop is more than a prop: it is a functioning miniature crossbow.

I am impressed on every level. Facing a Fake Foe has humor, ingenuity, novel features, hidden tricks, and details that exceed expectations.

Visit the KINETICDREAMS blog to read more about the piece.

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Automaton Video: Artist Aquio Nishida's Automata

Here is a great collection of video clips of automata created by Aquio Nishida.

I included his book, Automata: Movable Illustration, in my list of essential automata books for The Athanasius Kircher Society.

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Jan Zalud Wood Acrobat Automaton Video

Enjoy this video of an acrobat by artist Jan Zalud - a contemporary wood carver specializing in wooden automata, puppets and other wooden crafts.

This video shows the crank, cam, and ratchet mechanism in fine detail.

He has a very distinctive style and wonderful imagination. He is very good at integrating the mechanisms with the rest of the piece.

Visit Jan Zalud's web site to see more of his beautiful work.

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Featured Automaton Artist: Paul Boyer Automata

Take a look at artist Paul Boyer's skill with animating horses in this great video clip.

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The Internal Mechanics of a Monkey Automaton

The team of Chomick+Meder create figurative art and automata. They have a very large and interesting web site. Of particular interest is a page that documents the process of creating the monkey automaton shown here.

The page contains many great photographs of the piece as a work-in-progress. They also describe in some detail the method of constructing the brass crank shaft. You have got to respect the fact that such a beautifully crafted part isn't even a visible part of the piece!

An excerpt from their page:
What initially started as an experimental prototype design became this one-of-a-kind Monkey Automaton, the first of a series. The internal crankshaft design enables the brass hand-crank mechanism to operate at varied speed, in forward or reverse. The Monkey figure moves in a rhythmic side-to-side motion with alternating leg kicks. The loose jointed arms are secured to the legs which creates the illusion of more movement without having to add to the mechanism.

Visit the Chomick+Meder prototype automaton page to learn more.

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Automaton in Wood by Aritst Paul Boyer

Take a look at the skill with which artist Paul Boyer handles a horse in motion in this great video clip of his automaton.

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Gina Kamentsky Exhibit: Mechanical Confections

Gina Kamentsky is profiled in the Volume 13 of MAKE magazine (the same issue with my short book review of Dunninger's Complete Encyclopedia of Magic).

Gina Kamentsky is an multi-talented sculptor, animator, toy designer, inventor, musician, and teacher. Kamentsky works primarily with found materials and metal to create unique mechanical toys and kinetic sculptures.

Her solo exhibition, Gina Kamentsky: Mechanical Confections, will be on exhibition in Fuller Craft Museum's Daniel Tarlow gallery through November 9, 2008. She will be on site on March 2nd at 2:00 as part of Fuller Craft Museum's series, Objectively Speaking.

Here's a link to Fuller Craft Museum exhibits page.

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Steampunk Flying Fish Submarine Automaton

Another great piece from the hands of Pablo Lavezzari - a talented automata-maker from Argentina. This one is entitled Utopia.

See a full assortment of beautiful photographs of this piece at on this page of his site.

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Fantastic Wind-Powered Whrligigs Video

Automata maker Tom Haney sent the video you see above to me.

Tom writes:
I have something you might want to put up on your site. The man who inspired me to do mechanical pieces, Ben Thal, has posted a video on YouTube. I met him at a whirligig show in Oregon in 1994. He does great pieces with amazing and simple movements. He is a doctor and does whirligigs as a hobby. All his whirligigs are for indoors and are powered by a fan.

See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnm_16KUF0M

The motions are pretty sophisticated for whirligigs...impressive!

Thanks Tom!

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Beautiful Hand-Cranked Orrery

Take a look at this beautifully made orrery by artist Eugene Sargent.

Here is Eugene Sargent's web site. [via MAKE]

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Automaton Artist: Anthony Lent

The automaton in the video above is the work of master jeweler and automata-maker, Anthony Lent. This piece is entitled Vespa Inhorgenti.

From his site:
Mr. Lent has taught at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology for thirty-one years, serving as chairman of the Jewelry Department from 1990-2001. He has also pursued the fascinating world of automata, creating magical and intricately built pieces that delight and beguile the eye and the mind. His work, including intricately hand-crafted watches, has been shown in numerous venues in America and Europe. He has won international awards

Visit Anthony Lent's web site and automata page to see more of his gorgeous work.

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Featured Artist: Kristine Suhr

Check out the clever mechanical paintings of artist Kristine Suhr.
This piece, entitled Meeting, is over a meter wide. When the viewer turns the crank on the front the figures move. Mouths open, heads nod, fingers tap, and the man in the front rocks the chair with his foot.

I saw some animated vintage portraits at a recent auction. So while the idea of animated paintings has been around a while, Kristine Suhr has a playful, distinctive, modern style. Clever stuff and lots of fun!

Visit Kristine Suhr's nicely constructed web site to see this and many other works. [Thanks Falk!]

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Automaton Artist: Philip Lowndes

Here is a work in progress by UK based automata maker Philip Lowndes. Entitled, Quiet contemplation of a sandwich, it is an impressive bit of work.

The boy looks around, as if surveying the scene, occasionally takes a bite of his sandwich and chews it. The other hand moves up to scratch the boy's head occasionally. There is an impressive amount of subtle motion and some well-timed actions in this piece.

A video clip is can be viewed here.

I cannot wait to see the finished piece. It looks like it will be charming.

Visit the web site of Philip Lowndes to see this and other pieces.

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Featured Artist: Michael Pflueger

Michael Pflueger is a Germany-based mechanical sculptor, maker of interesting metal art, and designer of useful household items.

This is a clever interactive piece in which the viewer/user is pecked at by the mechanical bird. It is amazing that a few mechanical parts can create such a lifelike motion.

Check out some of his other works at michael-pflueger.com. [Thanks Falk!]

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Dug North Monster No. 1 Work-in-Progress

I am thrilled to be part of a an exhibit in my home town called: Made in Harvard.

The show is being put on by an organization called "For Art's Sake", an association supporting art in the Harvard schools and community.

I will be showing a functional mechanical prototype of a piece with the working title of Monster No. 1. The automaton features a small, but presumably nasty little monster who is struggling to break free of the chains that keep him from creating who-knows-what-kind of havoc.

The card of the front of the motorized display case reads:

Monster No. 1
being a model conceived & created for use in the evaluation of
form, design, performance, et cet. of divers examples to follow
by Mr. D. North - MECHANICIAN

Stay tuned for a short video clip in the near future!

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Featured Artist: Gina Kamentsky

Gina Kamentsky has been creating automata and kinetic sculpture for a long time. She has also invented toys, worked on animated films, and teamed up on projects with the MIT Media Lab. She is now on my list of personal heroes.

She has recently launched a web site that features her work. The site is easy on the eyes and has tons of video clips of her amazing contraptions.

While the piece shown above entitled Cranky Banky has been sold, the site features many, many pieces that are available.

Check out the wind-up, wall mounted, and larger works by Gina Kamentsky at www.ginakamentsky.com.

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New Automata by Artist Tom Haney

Atlanta-based automata artist Tom Haney has added a number of new pieces to his web site. Among the new pieces is Fruition, seen in the movie clip above.

From the Artist's Site:
I wanted to continue to explore the idea of "experiments with electricity and electric lights." I had the idea to have a figure "switching" a bulb on and off by touching together two brass contact rods. The antique case, which has glass on 5 sides, lets lots of light in, but also serves as a protective container that allowed me to add intricate detail to the scene.

All of his new works can be found at the bottom of Tom Haney's home page.

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Featured Piece: Playing Dice, Automata I

This automaton by artist Don McGranaghan is entitled Playing Dice, Automata I.

As the title implies, the piece relates to Einstein's famous quote concerning his opinion on quantum physics ('God doesn't play dice with the universe').

"I've had an interest in automata since I was a teenager, when I saw the movie "Sleuth", which was full of antique automata" explains McGranaghan.

To create this extraordinary piece, the artist relied on his professional experience in design, sculpture, mold-making and casting, mechanics, electronics, metal and wood-working. Combining diverse skills and materials, McGranaghan is following in the footsteps of automata masters of old.

In Playing Dice, Automata I the eyes move and blink, heads move from side to side, her mouth opens and closes, his throat makes a swallowing motion, her body and hand with scissors moves, as well as his left hand and right leg.

In explaining the inspiration for the piece, McGranaghan says, "I wanted to create a work that showed the contrast and relationship between two very different figures, and tell a story." In this, the artist has certainly succeeded.

In a humorist twist, the hairdresser attending to Einstein's hair is standing on a beginner's book on quantum physics.

The piece is powered by standard household current, with cooling fan, fuse, and speed control. Take a look at McGranaghan's meticulous handiwork inside.

You are looking at a Bison gear motor which turns two steel crankshafts. Clearly, this is a piece that was build to last.

This is a one-of-a-kind piece that could be the highlight in a large collection or the center of attention in any public space.

Here is a video to give you a sample of the automaton's motions.


Piece dimensions: 21" wide x 30" long x 42" tall
Weight: approximately 100 lbs.
Price: $13,500 which includes the fabrication of a custom crate, shipping, and insurance.

Interested parties should contact:

Don McGranaghan

McGranaghan Artistic Resources, LLC

12 Cherry St., Montrose, PA 18801

(570) 278-7591

www.mar-studio.com

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Automaton Art with Wood, Gears, Pulleys & Chains

A kindly Automata / Automaton Blog reader made me aware of an automaton artist named Steve Armstrong.

Armstrong is represented by the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco.

From their site:
His work is most unusual for the big city in many ways - Armstrong is a Kentucky native known for his "Automata" sculpture. Every piece has moveable parts, hand-carved from various woods and vividly painted. He deftly uses gears, pulleys, chains and the viewer's energy to make his sculptures move. They stand tall, they whirl and spin, and they open to reveal an amazing sense of humor.

At this moment, he has a piece on auction at eBay.

Check out the John Pence Gallery's page dedicated to Steve Armstrong's automata.

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Automaton Artist: Kazu Harada

The Automata / Automaton Blog is pleased to present you with Japanese automaton artist Kazu Harada.


After studying Art History at in college, Kazu worked mainly as a computer operator. He started making automata as a hobby in 2002. Last September, he traveled to England "to meet great automata makers and develop my automata making skills".

Kazu chose his destination wisely; he has been apprenticing with The Fourteen Balls Toy Company -- under master automata makers Paul Spooner and Matt Smith -- while studying at Falmouth University.

See Kazu Harada's Automata Gallery at nizo.jp.

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Making Mad Toys Book is Now Shipping!

The new book from Rodney Frost (the author who wrote Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits) is now shipping from Amazon!

I have not received my copy yet. I will write a longer review once I have it and have had a chance to read it. Here is what the publisher has to say about the book...

Rodney Frost's collection of playful mechanical contraptions will captivate anyone who operates them -- and they'll entice the creative woodworker too, because these whirligigs are as much fun to make as to maneuver. The secret to these movable marvels: propellers and other action-filled parts made from wood or metal. Full-size schematics and drawings, plus detailed written instructions, will guide woodworkers smoothly through building, carving, and assembling many enchanting projects!

Check out Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood

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Featured Artist: Ken Hayashi

The Automata / Automaton Blog is thrilled to share with you the work of Japanese automata artist Ken Hayashi. He works primarily in paper.

The site is in Japanese, so for English-speakers some random exploring of the navigation on his site is required. It is well worth it.

The piece shown here is amazing. Here's a link to a movie of the piece in action. The mechanism page for this piece makes me feel that I am witnessing the work of a master.

Here is Ken Hayashi's home page.

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Automata Homage to Canada

Here is an automaton that celebrates Canada. Created by automata-maker Charles Mak, this automaton features several Canadian symbols, including a Beaver. As I am originally from Vermont and appreciate engineering of all sorts, I have a great fondness for the animal sometimes known as "nature's engineer".

Take a look at the automaton entitled: Proudly Canadian.

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Hand-Cranked Metal Fly Automaton

Check out this excellent metal fly automaton by
Seattle based artist Casey Curran. Very, very cool.

I learned of this video from a post over at Make Magazine's Blog.

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Featured Maker: David Archer